HISTORY 



OF THE 



^ 



ENECA BAPTIST ItSSOCIATIOf 



m. 



WITH SKETCHES OF 



CHURCHES AND PASTORS, 



BY 



/ 



LEWIS HALSEY 



JO&MWV8WMM-WMJ&* 



ypM 



ITHACA, N. Y. : 

Journal Association Book and Job Printing House. 

1879. 







Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by 

LEWIS H'ALSEY, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 



TO 

REV. J. BYINGTON SMITH, D. D., 

OF PEEKSKILL, N. Y 



AS A TOKEN 
OF AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE. 

FARMER VILLAGE, N. Y., 

September, 1879. 



Preface 



Three ye&rs ago, a committee was appointed to pre- 
pare a history of the Seneca Baptist Association. This 
work is the result of that appointment. The need of 
such a history is apparent. The old records are some of 
them lost, others are almost illegible. The fathers are 
passing away. The manuscript histories, fragmentary at 
best, need to be supplemented by the testimony of living 
witnesses. The facts here presented are drawn for the 
most part from the original records, which have been 
searched diligently. In such a work mistakes are unavoid- 
able. My chief regret is that it is impossible to do justice 
to all whose names ought to appear in this volume. Imper- 
fect as the book is, the hope that it may be of interest to 
the churches, and, recalling honored names, may inspire to 
noble emulation, has made lighter the toil. It will at 
least preserve material for the future historian. 

To the many friends who have kindly aided in the 
preparation of this volume, I gratefully acknowledge ob- 
ligation. 



Index to Frontispiece. 



1. J. J. PHELPS. 

2. A. C. MALLORY, 

3. F. D. FENNER. 

4. H. F. TITUS. 

5. W. N. TOWER. 

6. G. E. WEEKS. 

7. LOUIS J. GROSS. 

15. 



8. C. W. BROOKS. 

9. J. M. HARRIS. 

10. A. D. CLARK. 

11. G. A. STARKWEATHER. 

12. J. B. SMITH. 

13. GEO. BROWN. 

14. L. B. ALBERT. 



LEWIS HALSEY. 



Introduction. 



THE SENECA. 
Two hundred years before the birth of the Seneca 
Baptist Association, the country between the lakes Cayuga 
and Seneca was occupied by the rulers of a Confederacy 
which might have been called almost as appropriately the 
Seneca Association, as the League of the Iroquois. This 
greatest of all northern aboriginal confederacies was com- 
posed of six Indian tribes, the Senecas, Cayugas, On- 
ondagas, Oneidas, Mohawks and Tuscaroras; the Senecas 
being assigned the first place at the council fire, and on 
the war path. 

According to tradition, the ancestors of the Iroquois, 
then a feeble tribe, were driven from their home on the 
northern bank of the St. Lawrence by the Adirondacks. 
Their first settlements south of Lake Ontario were upon 
the Seneca River. Afterward, five different colonies be- 
came distinct nations and were united in one confedera- 
tion. During the seventeenth century, the Iroquois be- 
came the most warlike and powerful of the American 
tribes, and in 1700, they were masters of the territory 
now included in New York and the States to the South 
and West. 

They called themselves the Ho-de-no-sau-nee, or the 
people of the long house. In bravery, in eloquence, in 
capacity for civil organization, they showed themselves 
to be equal to many civilized nations, and it has been 
asserted justly by the historian Lew T is H. Morgan, that 



to iOTKom/criajsr, 

"the League of the Iroquois exhibits the highest develop- 
ment of the Indian, ever reached by him in the hunter 
state/' The league was established upon the principle 
of family relationships. The several tribes were inde- 
pendent, yet united as brothers in one family. The 
tribal organization was similar in some particulars to 
that of the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel, but 
the descent followed invariably the female line. The 
tribal name of the Senecas was the Bon-an-ne-ho-out, or 
" the door-keepers," and of this appellation they were 
justly proud. 

It was the boast of the Iroquois that the tendency of 
their organization Was rather toward peace than war, and 
they looked forward hopefully to a time when War would 
eease, and all red men would be brothers in one great 
family. It would be interesting, did our space allow, to 
speak of their worship of the Great Spirit, of the tradition 
relating to the origin of the Indian tribes, and the later 
traditions which lead them to believe that Washington 
will be the only white man to enter the heaven of the 
Indian. 

The Indian does not die as was expected of him. The 
Indian problem is not yet solved. The death of the brave 
Canby and the needless sacrifice of the gallant Custer are 
fresh in our memories. Whatever be its faults, may the so- 
called peace policy prevail in our counsels, and may even 
* the poor Indian" be protected in his right to life, liberty, 
and the pursuit of happiness ! Said a Cayuga chief, in 
an address before the New York Historical Society, in 
1846: "The Empire State,, as you love to call it, was 
once laced by our trails from Albany to Buffalo, trails; 
that we had trod for centuries, trails worn so deep by the 
feet of the Iroquois, that they became your roads of 
travel, which still traverse those same lines of communi- 
cation which bound one part of the Long Hou^e to the 
other. Have we, the first holders of this prosperous 



Introduction. i i 

region, no longer a share in your history? Glad were 
your fathers to sit down upon the threshold of the Long 
House. Had our fore-fathers spurned you from it, when 
the French were thundering at the opposite side to get a 
passage through, and drive you into the sea, whatever 
has been the fate of other Indians, the Iroquois might 
still have been a nation, and I, instead of pleading here 
for the privilege of living within your borders, I — might 
have had a country I " 

THE PIONEER. 
The history of the Seneca Baptist Association begins 
with the history of the pioneers of the lake country of 
central New York. By their strong arms the forests were 
swept away, the seeds of civilization were sown in the 
wilderness, the school-house and the church were built 
above the ruins of the Indian's wigwam. These early 
settlers were men stalwart in frame, often uneducated, yet 
were they reverent in spirit. They sought a home in the 
wilderness, but they thought of another home further on. 
They remembered that they were sojourners and pilgrims. 
Hence, soon after providing a shelter for their families, 
they began to feel the want of a place where they could 
come together for public worship. At first they met 
from house to house, then they assembled in some large 
barn, then in the log school-house, but it was not long 
before they built a rude temple which with solemn con- 
secration they set apart for the worship of God. 

The hardships of frontier life can be properly estimated 
only by those who endure them year after year. The 
pioneers of Western New York came to a region which 
was not figuratively but literally a howling wilderness. 
Far from neighbors, far from the church, the school, the 
physician, they were deprived of many of what seem to 
their children to be the essentials of life. 

There were among them soldiers who had been with 
Gen. Sullivan in his successful campaign against the 
Iroquois. They remembered the placid Seneca, the 



12 ItfTKOOT'CT'lON', 

bright Cayuga, and the fertile cornfields of this beautiful 
lake country, — -so beautiful, diversified as it is by hill, 
lake, glen, and valley, that it has been called the Switzer- 
land of America ; so fertile, that it tempted even the 
Indian to the pursuit of agriculture! No sooner was the 
war ended, than one by one, or in little companies, they 
retraced their steps, coming now not with the sword but 
with the plowshare. One of these very soldiers (An- 
drew Dunlap, of Ovid,) turned the first furrow between 
the lakes. 

Only a remnant of the Six Nations remained upon their 
old hunting grounds, but enough were left to bring fear 
to many a settler's cabin. Sometimes they came as 
visitors, sometimes they were seen lurking in the forest. 
The mother remembered Wyoming and Cherry Valley,, 
and shuddered as she thought of what might be the fate 
of her little ones. The Indians loved this lake country. 
Here were their favorite hunting grounds ; here were the 
graves of their fathers. It was hard to give them up. 
The journey to Seneca County from Long Island or New 
Jersey required almost as much time as does now a 
journey around the world. There were no wagon roads. 
The Indian trails were almost impassable for horses, 
The emigrants usually came up the Hudson, the Mohawk,. 
Wood Creek, Oneida and Seneca rivers, or else up the 
valleys of the Susquehanna and Tioga to Owego. 

The settler's first home was the log cabin. This was 
built of unhewn logs rudely fitted together, the openings 
between them plastered with mortar or mud. The roof 
was made of strips of bark held down by heavy poles, 
At first the house had no chimney, the smoke escap- 
ing through an opening in the roof. The fireplace 
v/as made of flat, hard-head stones. The house was 
built solid, about eight logs, or eight feet high. The 
door and windows were cut out afterward with a saw, 
A little later the house had a cobble-stone chimney. The 



Introduction. 13 

first door was a blanket ; this was succeeded by a heavy 
hewn plank double door, opening above and below like a 
mill door, and serving also for a window in warm weather. 
It was hung on wooden hinges, which, unless well greased, 
would squeak horribly. It swung from a red oak jamb 
which was fastened to the logs with wooden pins. Nails 
were luxuries, iron one of the precious metals. The door- 
latch was of wood, and was on the inside. It was raised 
by a tow or leather string, which hung through a gimlet 
hole in the door and could be drawn in at night. To 
leave the latch-string always out was considered an un- 
failing sign of hospitality, hence our phrase of welcome: 
" the latch-string is out." 

The windows were at first huge loop-holes or em- 
brasures,subsequently they were enlarged a little,and fitted 
with rude sashes in which coarse paper supplied the place 
of glass. This paper was well oiled that it might shed 
the rain and admit the light. The one room, sometimes 
not more than ten feet square, was partitioned off by 
blankets or coverlids hung from the ceiling. The house 
had at first a ground-floor, afterward a floor of logs split 
and squared. A smooth-hewn stump often served for a 
dining table, as one of the fixtures of the establishment. 
The place of chairs was supplied by slab benches fastened 
to the side of the house, or by small logs split in two and 
mounted on legs. The bedsteads were rough, wide shelves 
fastened to the wall by wooden pins on one side, and 
supported by posts in front, with poles or peeled bark 
for bed cord. Beds were sometimes made of bags stuffed 
with dried " cat-tails," a species of flag which grew in the 
marshes. The fireplace was large and open — built of 
stone, afterward of brick. A few feet above the hearth 
was the lug pole, often on fire, from which were suspend- 
ed chains and trammels to support the kettles. In the 
larger houses the huge back log was sometimes drawn in 
by a horse. 



14 Introduction. 

Many families subsisted at first upon potatoes and 
Indian meal, others upon rnilk and boiled nettles. The 
meal was made by pounding corn in wooden mortars. 
Sometimes a hardwood stump near the cabin was hollow- 
ed and burned out and used as a mortar, the pestle being 
fastened to a pole which swung from some support, like 
an old fashioned well-sweep. The common drink was 
water, or bread crust coffee. Venison could sometimes 
be obtained by the earliest settlers, and bear's meat was 
a luxury. Maple sugar and syrup soon became plenty. 
Molasses was also made from pumpkins ; and pumpkin 
preserves and pumpkin butter were among the delicacies 
provided by the good housewife. Crab-apples and wild 
plums were used as condiments, sassafras tea and " store 
tea '' were brought forward on great occasions. On the 
table were wooden or pewter spoons, an earthen tea-pot, 
and sometimes the blue edged china dishes which the 
whims of the Centennial year once more made fashion- 
able. Where the family was large, only the parents used 
plates at meals. The children would lay a corn cake on 
the table, tear off a piece to sop, and all dip in one dish. 
The dress of both men and women was of homespun, 
the wife's fine dress, of calico, was worn only on great oc- 
casions. The settler's hunting shirt and breeches were 
sometimes made of tanned deer-skin, his socks of wool, 
carded, spun, and knit by the good wife, who plied her 
needles while she rocked the cradle. The spinning wheel 
was more common than is now the sewing machine. 
Soon rough looms were erected, and the cloth thus manu- 
factured was cut and made up at home. In summer, 
woolen garments were replaced by those made of flax. 
They would break it, swingle it, hatchel it, spin it, and 
sometimes weave it. They had little experience in dyeing, 
but seem to have been partial to a color afterward made 
historic by the war of the* great rebellion, for butternut 
bark was almost the only coloring material with which 



Introduction. 15 

they were practically acquainted. The school-books in 
1808 were the Bible, Daboll's Arithmetic, and Webster's 
spelling book. Hymn books were owned by few. The 
hymns were lined, or "deaconed " by the leader, and then 
sung by the congregation. It is almost a wonder that the 
people did not become Shakers or shouting fanatics, for 
the first churches had no heat except that brought by the 
worshipers. The women tried to keep comfortable with 
their foot-stoves, the men with their overcoats. 
NOTABLE EVENTS. 

Many remarkable events and noted personages are 
connected, more or less intimately, with the civil and 
religious history of this country between the lakes Cayuga 
and Seneca. 

Near Canoga, on the western shore of Cayuga, was 
born the celebrated Indian chief, Red Jacket— the Cicero 
of the Senecas. His birthplace, like that of Homer, has 
long been in dispute, but no historian disputes his title 
to the name of orator. His eloquence was often more 
powerful with his warriors than were the gold and the 
promises of the white man, but the influence of the ac- 
cursed fire water overpowered Sagoyewatha — " the keeper 
awake," — as it overpowered his unhappy people. We 
have many specimens of his eloquence. Deploring the 
fate of his unhappy people, from whom he saw that the 
sceptre had departed forever, he says : " We stand a 
smali island in the bosom of the great waters — we are en- 
circled—we are encompassed. The evil spirit rides upon 
the blast, and the waters are disturbed. They rise, they 
press upon us, and the waves once settling over us we 
disappear forever. Who then lives to mourn us ? None^ 
What marks our extinction? Nothing. We are mingled 
with the common elements." 

Through this lake region, traveled and exhorted that 
eccentric genius, Lorenzo Dow. He loved the open air, 
the exciting theme, the surging crowds, of the camp- 



16 Introduction. 

meeting. He might have been called a circuit-rider and 
stump preacher. His quaint manner, his startling ex- 
pressions, hisnoble-souled earnestness, made him a favorite 
with these sturdy Seneca pioneers. One of his best re- 
membered sermons was preached at a camp-meeting held 
in 1 82 1, on the western shore of Cayuga Lake. His text 
was from Hebrews, 9:27. — " It is appointed unto man once 
to die, and after that the judgment." This sermon was 
preached in a large log meeting house which had been 
built that the services might be held without danger of 
interruption by October storms. 

Lorenzo Dow, like other peculiar people, had his faults 
and his foes. He was the Talmadge of his day. His 
long hair, swarthy countenance, and ill-fitting clothes, 
caused him to present an odd appearance in the pulpit, 
and his voice was almost as shrill as was that of John 
Randolph. But he awakened religious enthusiasm 
wherever he went ; he set before those who heard him 
nobler ideas of living ; he preached the truth in Christ as 
he understood it, and doubtless, although many disciples 
could say of him: " he followeth not with us," he did 
much good in the name of his Master. He seems to have 
been an earnest, plain-spoken, God-fearing man, who cared 
little for his speech or his appearance if he could but do 
God service, who thought more about results than 
methods, and who had no fear of sensational preaching. 
Excitement and Lorenzo Dow came to the camp-meeting 
together. He was a man who was in sympathy with the 
common people, and they heard him gladly. 

To this county, about 1830, came the so called Mormon 
prophet, Joseph Smith, but this was before he had begun 
to profit by the gullibility of his followers. He worked 
at first as a day laborer. Afterward he claimed to pos- 
sess magic rods which would indicate hidden treasures. 
He must have been an unmitigated liar already, for he 
told his friends that when prodding with a crowbar in 



Introduction. 17 

the direction indicated by his Aaronic rods, he had often 
struck an iron chest which contained gold, but at the 
touch of his bar the chest would disappear, being mys- 
teriously carried away by some unknown agency. The 
golden plates from which Smith read out the Book of 
Mormon, he claimed to have found, on the west side of a 
hill near Manchester, Ontario County. These plates 
Smith pretended to have brought to the house of a 
farmer named Peter Whitmer, who lived in the town of 
Fayette, three miles south-west of Waterloo. The char- 
acters inscribed on the golden plates represented an un- 
known tongue which Smith called the "Reformed Egypt- 
ian." Next came the work of translation. He had an 
assistant named Oliver Cowdry. The golden plates were 
too sacred to be looked upon by eyes profane. Procul ! 
Smith would sit behind a blanket or else look into his 
hat, and read by the assistance of a curious optical instru- 
ment called by him Urim and Thummim, consisting of 
two transparent stones, and as he read, Cowdry would 
write the translation of the ineffable characters. 

The first convert to the Mormon faith was baptised by 
immersion in a little stream known as Thomas' creek, in 
the town of Fayette, Seneca County. The first Mormon 
conference was held in the same town June 1st, 1830. 
The moral atmosphere soon seems to have become op- 
pressive to the followers of the new prophet. They re- 
moved first to Kirtland, Ohio, shortly afterward to 
Nauvoo, 111. 

In 1 8 12, John Young, a revolutionary soldier, removed 
from Whittingham, Windham County, Vermont, to the 
town of Tyrone in the northwestern part of Schuyler 
County, New York. He was accompanied by five sons, 
one of them named Brigham. It is said that the family 
made poor farmers. The father went from house to 
house bottoming chairs and preaching. The sons spent 
most of their time in hunting or fishing. When the 



ig Introduction. 

harvest season came, they usually crossed the lake to 
work for farmers with whom they were acquainted in 
the town of Romulus. Here Brigham, who is said to 
have been lazy and fond of story telling, may have 
met Joseph Smith. The former became a follower of the 
Mormon prophet about the year 1833. 

Among the noted preachers in Seneca County, is the 
venerable Lutheran divine, Diedrich Willers, Sr,. He 
became pastor of Christ's church in Bearytown, in 1821, 
and celebrated his fifty-fifth jubilee anniversary April 
22d, 1876. He is still (1879) pastor of this church. At 
one time he had the pastoral supervision of eight Ger- 
man Lutheran congregations : Christ's church, Jerusalem,. 
Seneca, Lyons, Dansville, Scipio, Lansing, and Salmon 
Creek, — situated in five counties. In early life, Mr. 
Willers was a soldier, and fought in the battle of Water- 
loo. He is the father of Hon. Diedrich Willers, Jr., Ex- 
Secretary of State, and of the lamented Calvin Willers, 
Peter Whitmer, one of the first Mormon converts, was a 
parishoner of Dr. Willers, and the latter, learning that 
wolves were among his sheep, preached to his flock from 
Galations, 1:8, — "Though we, or an angel from heaven, 
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we 
have preached unto you, let him be accursed!" 
THE ASSOCIATION.- 

Baptists hold that Church Government, as far as it is 
confided to human hands, is " of the people, by the peo- 
ple, and for the people." They are the most independ- 
ent of independents. Each Baptist church is a demo- 
cratic society, acknowledging allegiance to no earthly 
authority. An association is a deliberative body, com- 
posed of messengers or delegates, commissioned by the 
churches to act as their representatives. But an associa- 
tion has neither legislative, nor executive authority, its 
power is advisory only. 



Introduction. 19 

Some of the early Baptists in this State, were opposed 
to the forming of Associations, fearing that they would 
usurp authority which properly belonged to the churches. 
Baptist churches have suffered, because, absorbed in the 
contemplation of independence, they have overlooked in- 
ter-dependence. Rejecting the counsels, and spurning 
the co-operation of sister Churches, they have reaped the 
results of their folly. The associational idea is opposed, 
not to independence, but to alienation, and teaches that, 
while each church is sovereign, and, in all matters per- 
taining to discipline or doctrine, must decide and act for 
itself, yet it may often be wisely influenced by the coun- 
sels of others, 01 may be instructed by their experience. 

At the beginning of the present century, all that part 
of the Empire State west of the old settlements on the 
Hudson, and on the Mohawk, was called Western New 
York. In 1789, there was not a single Baptist church 
west of the Scoharie river. In 1800, there were about 
thirty Baptist churches between the Mohawk, and Niag- 
ara. Among the early Associations were the Otsego, the 
Chemung, the Cayuga, the Madison, the Franklin, and 
the Holland Purchase. 

The first Baptist Association in Western New York" 
was the Otsego, organized in 1795, with thirteen churches, 
five ministers, four-hundred and twenty-four members. 
Elder Joel Butler, of Fairfield, preached to the newly 
organized Association from the text : " That they may 
be one,'' and introduced in his sermon the following 
verses, of his own composition, as a declaration of faith : 

•' One is our God who reigns above, 

And one our Savior whom we love ; 

One is our faith, the Spirit one, 

That brings us round Jehovah's throne ; 

One hope we have, one race we run 

To our eternal, shining home : 

One is our Guide, and one the way 



20 INTRODUCTION, 

» 
That leads to shining fields of day, 
And one the song of praise we sing 
To our eternal, glorious King." 

Among the ministers who became members of the As- 
sociation at its second session were, Peter P. Roots, and 
David Irish. 

In 1807, at the house of Elder Nathan Baker, in Pom^ 
pey, Onondaga County, a society was formed for the pur- 
pose of sending preachers of the gospel into the sur- 
rounding destitute regions. It was called the Lake Bap- 
tist Missionary Society, as the field of its labors was to 
be what was then called the lake country. One year 
later, the Society met at the house of Elisha Payne, in 
Hamilton. Elder Ashbel Hosmer was elected President, 
Elder P. P. Roots, Vice-President r Elisha Payne, Secre- 
tary, Jonathan Olmstead, Treasurer. Zalmon Morton 
was appointed missionary for two months, to receive four 
dollars per week for his services. His missionary tour 
extended to the Genesee river. Those to whom he went 
preaching received him joyfully, begging him to come 
again. At the next annual meeting, Elder John Peck 
was elected one of the directors r and the name of the 
body was changed to the " Hamilton Baptist Missionary 
Society." Among the early missionaries of this Society 
were, Hezekiah Eastman, John Lawton, John Peck, 
Alfred Bennett, Nathan Baker, John Upfold and Jonathan 
Ferris. 

At the meeting of the board of directors in 18 12, Mrs, 
Betsey Payne and Mrs. Freedom Olmstead, were intro-- 
duced as a committee from the Hamilton Female Baptist 
Missionary Society, bringing as their contribution for the 
work of sending the gospel to the destitute, twenty yards 
of fulled cloth. The Seneca, in common with sister As" 
sociations, was often indebted to the labors, and inspired 
by the exhortations of the faithful missionaries of this- 
society. 



Introduction. 21 

The Chemung Baptist Association was constituted in 
November, 1796, by the following churches: Chemung, 
(nearWellsburg) organized 1789; Sanroobson, (in Wayne> 
Steuben Co.,) organized 1794; Romulus, Seneca Co., 
organized 1795 ; New Bedford,* (now Owego) organized 
1796; and Braintrim, Wyoming Co* Pa. The Chemung, 
now known as the Wellsburg church, was the first organ- 
ized religious body west of Binghamton, in the southern 
tier of New York counties. Among the early ministers 
of the Association were, Roswell Goff, David Jayne, 
Ephraim Sanford, Peter Bainbridge, Zalmon Agard, 
Jehiel Wisner, Amos Eaglestone, Thomas Smiley and 
Samuel Sturdevant. 

The first Anniversary meeting of this Association, was 
held at Chemung, Nov* 9, 1797. David Jayne was 
Moderator, and preached the opening sermon from Sec* 
ond Corinthians, 4:5. Zalmon Agard was Clerk. Che- 
mung reports ninety-one members, Roswell Goff, pastor ; 
Romulus, fourteen members ; Sanroobson, afterward 
Fredericksburg, twenty-one members, E. Sanford, pastor; 
New Bedford, thirty-one members, D. Jayne, pastor; 
Braintrim, twenty-three members, Z. Agard, pastor. In 
Oct. 1802, the Association held its sixth session at Romu* 
lus, when that church reports sixty-eight members, with 
Jehiel Wisner for pastor, it being then the largest of the 
seven churches of the Association. 

In 1804, Romulus was dismissed to join the Cayuga 
Association, but was received again in 1813. The church 
in Caroline was received in 18 19, Delmar in 1802. Rom- 
ulus was again dismissed in 1820. Caroline was dismissed 
to the new Berkshire Association in 1823. 

The Scipio general conference was organized at 
Palmyra, Sept. 25, 1799, by six churches afterward in- 
cluded in the Cayuga Association. Among the delegates 
were only three ordained ministers, David Irish, Micajah 
Starr, and John Laseun These names appear later, in 



22 Introduction. 

the history of the Seneca Association. In Sept. 1801, 
delegates from fourteen churches met at Aurelius, and 
■after discussion, during which the fear was expressed that 
the proposed action might conflict with liberty of con- 
science, and church independence, the Conference re- 
organized as an Association. When a name was sought 
for, it was proposed that, as it included all Baptist churches 
between the Otsego Association and the Pacific ocean, it 
should be called the Western Association. But one of 
those troublesome brethren who are always thinking of 
something, modestly objected that a similar Association 
might yet be organized west of Cayuga county, — in fact, 
he had faith to believe that at least one such body would 
be constituted within fifty years, — when, of course, the 
name Western Association would be a misnomer. The 
name Cayuga Association was finally adopted, the body 
including fourteen churches, with seven-hundred and 
seventy-seven members. This meeting was held in Dea- 
con Ebenezer Healy's barn, near Sennett. 

At the second annual meeting, in 1803, the church of 
Ovid and Hector, (now Covert) with two-hundred and 
forty-four members, was received as a member of the 
Association. 

In 1806, the annual meeting of the Association was 
held with the first Baptist church in Ovid, — at Bailey- 
town. The Romulus, and Dryden churches were also 
members of the Association at this time, and the First 
Church in Ulysses, now Enfield, John Lewis, pastor, was 
received in 1819. In 1825, the First Church in Ovid was 
dropped from the minutes. Romulus was dismissed in 
1812. Second Ovid, and Ulysses were dismissed in 1821 
to aid in constituting the Seneca Association. 

Glancing at the early settler and his surroundings, re- 
calling, for a moment, some of the interesting events as- 
sociated with the history of the lake country, and the 
two neighboring Associations older than our own, we 
turn to the Seneca Association itself. 



The SenecaBaptist Association 



PREFATORY. 
This Association was fortunate in having for its lead- 
ing spirit, and first presiding officer, Dr. O. C. Comstock> 
to whom it was largely indebted for its efficient organiza- 
tion, its harmonious conferences, and. its continued pros* 
perity. The annual meetings of the Association were 
gospel feasts, to which the brethren from near and far 
loved to come. Hither Came the honored Gomstock, the 
enthusiastic Abbott, the scholarly Whiting, the earnest 
VVoolsey, the devoted Sheardown, the faithful Wood- 
worth. 

Many of the subjects brought before the body by their 
resolutions, or circular letters, are still of vital interest ; 
and were discussed in a liberal spirit. If, when the 
fathers spoke concerning ordination, discipline, and 
kindred topics, their sons had wisely heeded their utter- 
ances, it would have been for the prosperity of the 
churches. 

The subject of discipline is not often alluded to in the 
printed records of this Association, while the minutes 
of many similar bodies are laden with allusions to this 
subject. These brethren seem to have discovered that 
it was good and pleasant for them to dwell together 
in unity. It is doubtful whether any other Association 
can point to so peaceful a history. It stands in marked 
contrast to the unhappy record of some of the Associa* 
tions of our own State, in which we see these bodies, 
which should have been the abode of gentleness, and 
brotherly love, rent asunder and torn in pieces by fraternal 
feuds. 



24 Seneca Baptist Association. 

The declarations we find relating to the subject of dis- 
cipline, are usually free from prejudice, and in accordance 
with the teachings of the gospel as they are understood 
to-day. The Association early showed itself to be in 
sympathy with the cause of temperance, and pointed out 
to the members of its churches, that if they would prevent 
the immoderate use of ardent spirits by others, they must 
abstain from even the moderate use themselves. The 
principle of total abstinence was held distinctly, and with- 
out equivocation, yet although a temperance pledge was 
recommended in 1839, as an addition to the articles of 
faith, it is doubtful whether it was generally adopted by 
the churches. Whenever a great evil is brought prom- 
inently before the public, there is a tendency on the part 
of the church to adopt a new article of faith concerning 
it. There is as little need of naming, in a confession of 
faith, every evil which the church is called to fight, as there 
is of recognizing the existence of God by constitutional 
enactment. 

When the time came to speak on the subject of slavery, 
the voice of the Association was heard in denunciation of 
that great crime,and when the nation's life was threatened, 
the churches rallied as one man to the defense of the 
government, and sent many brave sons to fight under the 
old flag. Some of them gave all men can give, — their 
lives, — to save their country's life. How many homes 
were darkened ! How many wives and mothers could say, 
" If I am bereaved, — I am bereaved " ! Others of our sol- 
diers came back again, some bearing honorable wounds, 
some with their constitutions broken by disease, — others 
again, spared in health and strength, to take up once 
more the tasks they had laid down. But, whether they 
be numbered among the living or the dead, their names 
are held in grateful remembrance, as those of heroes 
who won for freedom one of the great battles of the 
world's history. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 25 

The great anti-masonic crusade seems to have had less 
influence in this Association than in many others, where 
churches were weakened, even rent asunder by the storm 
of excitement. Many, even of the most bitter opponents 
of the institution, concluded, on second thought, that a so- 
ciety which had numbered so many good men among its 
members, could scarcely be the terrible monster which had 
appeared before them as the picture of their excited im- 
aginations. So the resolutions as to fellowship with " the 
unfruitful works of darkness," are seldom found upon the 
church books of this Association. Perhaps the excite- 
ment rose highest in the strong church at Trumansburg, 
where a number of the most active members of the 
church, among them the loved pastor, were also members 
of the Masonic fraternity. Tradition says that there 
were a few exclusions, but I find no record of them. Dr. 
Comstock accepted a not unwelcome call to Rochester, 
and the majority of the alienated members soon resumed 
their walk with the church. 

To quote the language of Rev. T. Edwin Brown, D. D. 
in his eloquent jubilee address at the fiftieth anniversary 
of the Monroe Baptist Association : "I am not sure but 
some of the bones of the fathers would shake in their graves, 
if they knew that members of secret organizations were 
now fellowshiped as Christians, and that the churches had 
learned by bitter and costly experience, that it was not a 
New Testament law to exact tests for church member- 
ship, other than those which Christ himself has enacted." 

The annual meetings of the Association were held, at 
first, at some central point, rather than with the several 
churches in rotation, the first three sessions being held at 
Farmer Village. 

At these early meetings, it was customary to have even- 
ing religious services at the various out-stations of the 
church with which the Association assembled, or at the 
school-houses in the neighborhood, the spiritual wants of 



26 Seneca Baptist Association. 

the community not being forgotten in the joy of social 
intercourse and religious conversation. When the As- 
sociation learned, by the letter of the Covert church, of 
the death of pastor Obed Warren, business was suspend- 
ed, a hymn was sung, and prayer was offered for the 
afflicted church and family. The record may read 
strangely to any who have not noted how often the 
heart of the mourner may be cheered and comforted by 
some hymn of faith and hope — by such hymns as David 
sang in his hours of affliction, by such hymns as our 
Savior and his disciples sang, before they went forth for 
the last time to the Mount of Olives. 

It is especially noteworthy that, from the first, the 
pastors of the Association were firm and unwavering 
friends of institutions which sought to give ministers 
the best preparation for their great work. >The associa- 
tjonal trumpet gave no uncertain sound on this subject. 
The fathers speak with the earnestness which is born of 
settled conviction. We sympathize with them, we honor 
them, as they speak in touching words of the disadvan- 
tages under which they have labored. While they are 
thankful for the success with which God has blessed their 
labors, they lament their deficiencies, and their lack of 
educational opportunities. We see them deeply sensible 
of the value of such blessings, and urging, nay demanding, 
that they be not rejected by those whose privilege it is to 
receive them. They are thankful that their children have 
greater advantages than they were permitted to enjoy, 
and they would see them doing better work for the Mas- 
ter than their fathers were able to do. 

They assert a truth, not always understood or accepted 
in those former days, that the preacher of the gospel, es- 
pecially, should strive after the highest intellectual at- 
tainments, should seek the most thorough education. 
They are not satisfied with a merely defensive warfare, 
they carry the war to the walls of Carthage, they dare to 



Seneca Baptist Association. 27 

assert that the uneducated man who will not seek educa- 
tion is unfit for the ministry. 

The first circular letter of the Association, treating on 
this topic, and written by Dr. Comstock, is referred to 
elsewhere. At the risk of repetition, we will quote several 
paragraphs. " When one of our young men signifies a 
sense of duty to preach, our course is plain and simple. 
We are to examine him relative to his religious experi- 
ence, and impressions to enter the work of the ministry, 
and the soundness of his faith and doctrine. We are to 
hear his performances, ascertain his natural and acquired 
abilities, and his situation as to character and fortune. 
If we find him promising, but deficient in education, and 
possessed of property, we should point out to him the 
necessity of appropriating a part of it to the acquisition 
of useful knowledge ; if he be poor, an appeal should be 
made to some of our literary and theological institutions, 
or the church to which he belongs, for assistance. Should 
he decline this dictate of duty, piety, and affection — 
should he refuse to humble himself as a little child, in the 
study of the first principles of learning — he would give 
evidence that pride or covetousness dwells in his heart, 
and excludes that humble disposition, and that ardent 
desire to be useful which should ever be conspicuous in 
the character of a gospel minister." " By adverting to the 
epistles of the Apostle Paul to his beloved Timothy and 
Titus, we learn the qualifications of a minister. Among 
other accomplishments he must be apt to teach ; ' not a 
novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the 
condemnation of the Devil.' He must be a ' workman 
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the 
word of truth,' ' that he may be able by sound doctrine 
both to exhort and convince the gainsayers.' Habituat- 
ed to reading and meditation, well ' instructed unto the 
Kingdom of Heaven, he will be able to bring forth out 
of his treasures things new and old." When our hon- 



2% Seneca Baptist Association. 

ored fathers were young, even an ordinary English edu- 
cation was acquired with great difficulty. Here we find 
an apology for any imperfection in their scholastic ac- 
quirements. This apology, however, cannot be offered 
by those who have recently come upon the stage of 
action. A complete English education should, we con- 
ceive, constitute the lowest degree of learning preparatory 
to a suitable course of theological studies. It is scarcely 
necessary to remark that the study of theology is as es- 
sential to the divine, as is a knowledge of medicine to 
the physician. A contrary supposition involves the 
greatest ignorance and absurdity. Ministers of real 
merit, it is to be hoped, will generally receive attention 
and support from the churches and society. Hence they 
will be enabled to devote themselves solely to the high 
calling to which they have been consecrated, ' that their 
profiting may appear unto all.' 'They will be accounted* 
worthy of double honor.' ' For the Scripture saith, — ■ 
thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn/ 
and ' the laborer is worthy of his reward.' Again : 'No 
man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of 
this life that he may please him who hath chosen him. to 
be a soldier.' ' The husbandman that laboreth, must be 
first partaker of the fruits.' ' Do ye not know that they 
which minister about holy things, live of the things of the 
temple, and they which wait at the altar are partakers 
with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that 
they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.' ' 

At a time when many of the pastors of the churches 
labored with their hands to support their families, these 
fathers of the Association proclaimed that ministers 
ought to devote themselves wholly to the work of their 
high calling, and ought to be sustained in so doing by the 
churches. They not only assert this truth, but they 
make it plain by conclusive scriptural arguments. 

It will be seen by the epitomized history of th,e meet- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 29 

ings of the Association that those Baptist veterans, " par 
nobilc fratruni" Elder Alfred Bennett, and Elder John 
Peck, were often present at the annual assemblies, and 
that their pathos and eloquence kindled, and kept alive 
the fire of missionary zeal. 

At its first annual meeting, the Association expressed 
the most cordial approval of the missionary work of the 
State Convention, and endeavored to enlist all the 
churches in its support. From the beginning, the rec- 
ord of the Association as it relates to benevolent or* 
ganizations, is an honorable one. It is ever outspoken 
in its support of missions, of Bible Societies, of Sunday 
Schools, and of ministerial education, and its contribu- 
tions for objects of benevolence, show that its words had 
meaning. There seems to have been very little of the 
old-school, anti-mission spirit in any of the churches, and 
this met with no sympathy at the associational gather- 
ings. 

There is hidden in these circular and corresponding 
letters, a wealth of religious instruction which ought not 
to be lost. Of course we cannot do justice to these pa- 
pers by the brief quotations our space will allow, but may- 
be able to indicate their tenor, and the influence they 
were calculated to exert upon the Association. In these 
quotations you listen to the very words of the fathers 
whose praise is in all the churches, and learn their 
thoughts in regard to the topics of interest which came 
before them. 

The testimony of the Minutes of the several anniver- 
saries, shows that the annual sessions of the Association 
were noted for the prevalence of good will, and harmony 
of action. The history is on this account less eventful, 
yet not the less pleasant to relate. 



Abstract of Minutes, 



FIRST DECADE 
The Seneca Baptist Association was organized at 
Covert, Sept. i 82 1 . It is stated in the Minutes of 1 842, that 
the Association was organized at Farmer Village, in 1822, 
but this is an error. There were no published minutes of 
the first meeting, and no report of its proceedings has 
been discovered. 

The Association had as constituent members the fol- 
lowing thirteen churches : Covert, Danby, Enfield, Farmer 
Village, Second Hector, Third Hector, Fourth Hector* 
Newfield, First Romulus, East Romulus, First Ulysses, 
* Second Ulysses, Virgil. 

The first anniversary meeting of the Association, was 
held at Farmerville, Sept. 4th, and 5th, 1822. Rev. O. C. 
Comstock, of Trumansburg, was Moderator, and preached 
the introductory sermon from Acts, 16:31,— " Believe on 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy 
house." Delegates appeared from thirteen churches* The 



32 Seneca Baptist Association. 

two strongest churches are First Covert, and Farmerville, 
numbering respectively one-hundred-twelve, and one- 
hundred-two members. Only three of the churches re- 
port baptisms, Farmerville standing first with twenty- 
nine. The churches report in all eight-hundred and 
twenty-three members. Jeremiah Rappleye, of Farmer- 
ville, was appointed Clerk, Peter Rappleye, of the same 
church, Corresponding Secretary. The messengers from 
the Cayuga Association were, Elders Kelsey, Blood, and 
Elkanah Comstock, with Minutes. It was voted to open 
correspondence with the Madison and Ontario Associa- 
tions. A communication requesting co-operation was 
received from the Baptist State Convention, through 
their agent, Rev. E. Comstock. The Association re- 
sponds by appointing Peter Rappleye as its treasurer to 
receive contributions to the Convention, and continues : 
" We most cordially approve of their views, and recom- 
mend to the churches that they form mission societies 
auxiliary to said Convention, and use their influence to 
promote a missionary spirit among them." Elders O. C. 
Comstock, and Chester Coburn, were appointed delegates 
to the annual meeting of the Convention, to be held at 
Whitesboro, in October. 

On the evening of the first day of the Association, 
there were preaching-services at a number of places in 
the neighborhood. On Tuesday, Elder Blood preached 
from the first epistle of John, the fifth, sixth, and seventh 
verses. Before the adjournment, the Moderator, in be- 
half of the delegates, presented to the people their grate- 
ful acknowledgments for the hospitality, friendship, and ' 
politeness with which they had been entertained among 
them. 

The circular letter is on the manner of licensing to 
preach, those who may be candidates for the ministry. 
Churches are pointed to the invariable connection which 
subsists between a pious, enlightened, and faithful 



Seneca Baptist Association. 33 

ministry, and the prosperity of Zion, and when they pro- 
pose to license one of their number to preach, are recom- 
mended to call to their aid the counsel of able ministers. 
The notion that any brother should be licensed, who may 
have united in his favor, the voice of the church to which 
he belongs, without any reference to other things at 
tached to his character, is inadmissable. The church 
may be feeble and inexperienced, and influenced by un- 
due personal attachment. 

" Many of our aged brethren of the ministry have long 
and successfully labored in the gospel field without the 
advantages of an early and suitable education. These, 
however, constantly lament their deficiency in this re- 
gard ; and, deeply sensible of the blessings of literary 
attainments, especially to the heralds of the cross, are 
among the first to promote those institutions, which have 
for their object the instruction of the public servants of 
Christ." 

" We have to acknowledge, with gratitude, that our 
children have profited by social advantages, superior to 
those which in early life we were permitted to enjoy. If 
they have not done so, it is, in most instances, because 
they have been undutiful to parents, and unjust to them- 
selves." 

In conclusion, Bible, missionary, and other benevolent 
societies, are recommended to the churches ; and it is 
pointed out that those churches and individuals who are 
the most devoted in sustaining such Christian organiza- 
tions, are giving the highest proof of their usefulness, 
and of their dwelling in the love of Christ. 

The next session of the Association was held at Far- 
merville, Sept. 3d and 4th, 1823. Rev. Chester Coburn, of 
Danby, preached the opening sermon, and was chosen 
Moderator. When the letter from the Covert church was 
read announcing, the death of their late beloved pastor, 
Obed Warren, the Association suspended business, sung 



34 Seneca Baptist Association 1 . 

a hymn, and united in prayer for the bereaved church 
and family. The Association listened to sermons from 
Elder Edward W. Martin, of the Cayuga Association, and 
Elder Alfred Bennett, of the Madison Association. 

The circular letter was written by Chester Coburn, 
subject, — -the inheritance of the saints. Heaven is a 
place of rest, — of peace, — of endless day. The inherit- 
ance above is endless glory, and even this begins in this 
life. " All these, beloved, are foretastes of the eternal 
fulness." 

The following post-script is added to the correspond- 
ing letter. " We crave, as a favor to Zion, that all churches 
of our order would look up the members of the same 
faith and order among them, and if they do not unite 
and travel with churches where they are, to report them 
to the churches to which they belong/' 

The Association met, for the third time in succession, 
at Farmerville, Sept. 1st and 2d, 1824. Rev. O. C. Corn- 
stock was preacher of the introductory sermon, and 
Moderator. Chester Coburn, and Jeremiah Rappleye, 
were Clerks. Rev'ds. E. W. Martin, and Van Rensselaer 
Wall, preached. 

The circular is again written by Rev. O. C. Comstock, 
and like all his productions, is worthy of re-production. 
He writes of Christian union, as seen in the church, and 
in the Association, its advantages and its responsibilities. 
" Union in counsel, and concert of action, are necessarily 
included in the discharge of those duties which God has 
devolved upon his people. Do any neglect the house of 
God? — they grieve their brethren, impair fellowship, and 
lay a stumbling block before the world. The advantage 
to be derived from belonging to an Association, material- 
ly depends on its union. This we should constantly 
study to advance. ' Pray for the peace of Jerusalem $ 
they shall prosper that love thee.' The subject of or- 
dination is referred to,, as this has apparently led to 



Seneca Baptist Association. 35 

division of sentiment. A candidate for ordination should 
possess such an established character for piety and tal- 
ent, as to unite the general confidence and esteem, not 
only of the brethren and society in the vicinit)^ where he 
resides, but also of the Association and community. 
Saying nothing about the competency or incompetency 
of one presbyter to perform the highly responsible work 
of ordination, we would strongly recommend the expedi- 
ency of an ample council on such occasions. 

The session for 1825, was held Sept. 7th and 8th, at 
Covert ; introductory sermon by Rev. Edward Hodge ; 
Moderator, Rev. O. C. Comstock. The visiting brethren 
were, Rev'ds. Philander Kelsey, D. D. Kendrick, and 
Solomon Goodale. After a sermon by Dr. D. D. Ken- 
drick, a collection was taken for the New York Baptist 
Education Society. The circular, by Rev. Edward 
Hodge, is on the importance of being spiritually minded. 
It is well written. We note two suggestions: first, want of 
spiritual understanding unfits Christians for judging the 
experience of candidates for membership, and allows 
hypocrites to creep into the churches ; second, want of 
spirituality gives rise to divisions and contentions in the 
churches. 

The Association met at Trumansburg, with the Second 
Ulysses church, Sept. 6th and 7th, 1875. Rev. Daniel 
Robinson preached the introductory sermon, Rev. O. C. 
Comstock was Moderator. The church in Virgil was 
dismissed to join the Berkshire Association. The church 
in Lodi was received. A board of seven members was 
appointed to take charge of the missionary concerns of 
the Association ; and all the churches were recommended 
to promote this glorious cause, by every means in their 
power. Elder Beebee preached. 

Rev. O. C. Comstock again writes the circular letter, 
which may be called an epistle general to the churches. 



$6 Seneca Baptist Association. 

" We have witnessed with high satisfaction, an in- 
creasing attention to the interests of Sabbath-Schools, 
and of Bible Societies." * * * 

"The Baptist Convention of the State, is the result of 
much prayer, profound reflection, and ample discussion 
relative to the important and various objects it contem- 
plates. It is cheered and strengthened in the prosecu- 
tion of its laudable designs, by the recollection of the 
many tokens of Divine approbation which it has received 
since its organization. Its missionaries have been made 
the honored instruments of comforting Zion, making ' her 
wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of 
the Lord.' We doubt not, therefore, dear brethren, that 
our Convention will share largely in your confidence, 
your prayers and your contributions." 

The words of this veteran Christian warrior might well be 
spoken of our State Convention of to-day. 

" The Baptist Literary and Theological Seminary at 
Hamilton, having for its object the assistance and im- 
provement of our rising ministry, is commended to your 
best affections and your most cordial support. Conceive- 
ing the maintenance of this institution to be identified 
with the promotion of evangelical truth, the honor of our 
denomination and the happiness of society, and firmly 
persuaded that its board of trustees and faculty are en- 
titled to the highest confidence and esteem, we warmly 
press its consideration upon your favorable regard." 

"We ought not to close this annual address without af- 
fectionately turning your minds to the Burmah mission 
as an object of vast moment to that extensive empire, 
and in its consequences to the whole family of man, 
American Baptists are bound to support this mission 
with their prayers, their counsels, and their liberalities, 
by the strongest and most sacred ties. With ardent 
desires that the grace of God may ever dwell richly in 
your hearts, and that you may be eminently useful in 



Seneca Baptist Association. 37 

Zion, we bid you an affectionate farewell." — Signed by 
O. C. Comstock, Moderator, A. Abbott, Clerk. Thus 
appropriately closes the last circular letter written for the 
Association, by her honored father O. C. Comstock. 

The Association met at Romulus, Seneca County, 
Sept. 5, 1827, sermon by Elder John Sears, of Ithaca, 
Elder John Caton, Moderator. Quarterly conferences 
were appointed. Elder Jonathan Ketchum, of the Steu- 
ben Association, preached, and a collection Was taken for 
missions. The church in Danby changes its name to 
First Ithaca. The circular letter is written by Rev. J. C. 
Holt, and pleads for an increase of benevolence. 

In 1828, the Association met at Covert, Sept. 3d and 
4th, sermon by Elder J. C. Holt, Elder Aaron Abbott, 
Moderator. The churches in Catlin. Elmira, and Ovid, 
joined the Association. A resolution was adopted in op- 
position to speculative free Masonry ; but as the Associa^ 
tion, a few years afterward, elected a well-known member 
of that fraternity as one of its officers, and continued to 
require his services for many years, it is not probable that 
the resolution expressed their enduring sentiments. 
Among the visiting brethren were, Elder Ichabod Clark, 
Elder Alfred Bennett, Joel Sweet, Elders Wall and 
Tooker. Two letters being received from the Farmer- 
ville church, a committee was appointed to visit them 
and to report at the next session. The following resolu- 
tion was adopted : " That we continue to patronize the 
N. Y. Baptist Register, and implore the Keeper of Israel 
to impart Divine wisdom to its editors." 

The Association closed with a " pathetic " sermon by 
Elder Bennett, from First Corinthians, 3:9, and a collec- 
tion for the State Convention. 

In 1829, the Association met at Trumansburg, Sept. 
2d, sermon by Rev. John Sears, who was also Moderator. 
The several churches were requested to give their views 
of Speculative Free Masonry in the letters presented at 



38 Seneca Baptist Association. 

the next session. Elder Alfred Bennett preached. The 
members of the churches comprising the Association were 
recommended to encourage the cause of temperance, by 
entire abstinence themselves from the use of ardent spirits. 
A foreign mission society was organized, with Rev. J. C. 
Holt, for President, and a director in each church. The 
committee on the state of the churches recommended 
" that the churches require of all their members who re- 
move from them, an occasional correspondence by letter 
or otherwise, and that when they are located near a 
regular church of the same faith and practice, they take 
immediate measures to become connected with such 
church in full communion. In case these requisitions are 
neglected for the term of one year, all testimonials of 
commendation previously given, shall be null and void. 
If they neglect for two years, they shall be considered 
transgressors, and made the subject of discipline by the 
church." The circular letter, by Rev. John Sears, has 
for its subject " the low state of our churches. 

The Association convened at Ithaca, Sept. 1st, 1830, 
opening sermon by Rev. Aaron Abbott, Rev. P. D. 
Gillette, of Elmira, Moderator. The churches in Big 
Flats ; Southport and Elmira ; Tioga, Pa. ; and Farmer- 
ville, dropped last year, were received as members of the 
Association. Elder John Smitzer, agent of the State 
Convention, and Elder Alfred Bennett, agent of the 
Foreign Mission Society, preached. It is noted that 
Elder Smitzer's sermon was interesting, and that of Elder 
Bennett, impressive. The circular letter, by Rev. U. B. 
Miller, is on " the exercise of a right spirit." 
SECOND DECADE. 

The Association met at Ovid, Sept. 4, 183 1, sermon by 
Rev. U. B. Miller, of Lodi. Rev. P. D. Gillette, Modera- 
tor. Rev. N. N. Whiting, and Elder Alfred Bennett, 
preached. It was again resolved that, Christians should 
teach temperance by an entire abstinence from the use of 



Seneca Baptist Association. 39 

ardent spirits as a refreshment. It was voted " that we 
recommend to our churches the use of Winchell's, Watts', 
and B. M. Hill's Hymns of Zion." The Association re- 
ports this year, two hundred and six baptisms. Among 
the delegates were Elijah Kinne Bloomer, of Ovid, 
Fayette Allen, of Farmerville, and A. C. Mallory, of Catlin, 
pastor now at Covert. The circular letter, Written by 
Rev. P. D. Gillette, has for its subject " the Lord's Sup- 
per," and is in the main a plea for the celebration of that 
ordinance, at the yearly sessions of the Association. 

The eleventh annual session of the Association was 
held at Elmira, Tioga Co., Sept. 5th and 6th, 1832. In- 
troductory sermon by Rev. John Sears ; Moderator, Rev. 
P. D. Gillette. A. C. Mallory is Clerk, and Deacon of 
the church in Catlin, and is present as a delegate with 
his pastor, Rev. Thos. S. Sheardown. R. Woolsey and 
Lewis Porter, are the delegates from Covert ; N. Whit- 
ing and William Rappleye, from Farmerville. James 
McLallen is Clerk at Trumansburg, Fayette Allen, at 
Farmerviile. The twenty churches report 166 baptisms, 
Catlin standing first with 49. A resolution was adopted 
that if any query or petition from any church, or indi- 
vidual is to be presented to the Association, they be re- 
quested to present it to the committee of arrangement 
of business this evening. Our honored fathers seem to 
have learned, what some of their sons are slow to realize, 
that there is a proper dependence in independence, and 
that rules of order are needed in democratic assemblies. 
Sermons were preached by Bro. S. Barnard and H. VogelL 
The Treasurers report gives credit for a gold necklace, 
watch-chain, ear-rings, gold rings, socks, shirts, pillow- 
cases, muslin, etc. The church in Dryden is dismissed to 
join the Cortland Association. A Board of Managers 
for Missionary operations is appointed, consisting of one 
member from each church. Four protracted meetings 
are appointed, As the church at Painted Post has no 



40 Seneca Baptist Association. 

pastor, the ministers present agree to supply them oc- 
casionally. The session closed by the singing of Baldwin's 
Union Hymn. 

The circular letter is an earnest plea for the cause of 
Missions. "A wide field for missionary exertion is 
spread before us in our own land — in Burmah — in the 
islands of the sea. Aided by the Holy Spirit, and cheer- 
ed by the presence of Jesus, we may do much in gladden- 
ing the desert and the solitary place, and causing the 
wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose.'' 

The church at Tioga, Pa., report the reception of a 
string of gold beads for the Burman mission, from a poor 
widow, as the fruit of Bro. Judson's letter. The church 
at Painted Post is received on request as a member of 
this Association. The Second Ulysses church, (after- 
ward Trumansburg) has a Sabbath-School, and a Foreign 
Missionary Society which supports a student at Hamil- 
ton Theological Seminary. 

The twelfth session was held at Lodi, Sept. 4th and 
5th, sermon by Rev. P. D. Gillette; Rev. A. Abbott, 
Moderator. Among the delegates present still known to 
be living, were Allen Pease, of Trumansburg, Mahlon 
Covert, ( now of Leslie, Mich.) F. Allen, of Farmerville ; 
and A. C. Mallory, of Catlin. The church at Law- 
renceville was received, and the church at Tioga dismiss- 
ed to join the Steuben Association. Resolutions were 
adopted favoring the cause of temperance, and the Sab- 
bath-School. Among the benevolent contributions are 
one woolen kersey blanket, from Sister Hand, several 
yards of factory, a shirt collar, a vest pattern, etc. It 
seems that those who did not have much, gave of the lit- 
tle they had. The circular letter, by Rev. J. R. Burdick, 
is a fervent plea for total abstinence. It is almost, if not 
quite, in line with the advanced temperance standards of 
to-day. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 41 

The thirteenth annual session was held at Farmerville, 
Sept. 3d and 4th, 1834. Rev. P. D. Gillette was Modera- 
tor, Rev. U. B. Miller, preacher. Brother John Boorom 
was one of the delegates from the church in Covert. 
Trumansburg reports two licentiates, — Adams Cleghorn, 
and J. Kelly. The churches in Reading and in Tioga 
were received as members of the Association. Prof. J. S. 
Bacon was appointed delegate to the triennial Conven- 
tion to meet at Richmond, Va., 1835. It was resolved 
to establish a Baptist tract and book Depository at Tru- 
mansburg, under the care of Bro. James McLallen, also, 

" Resolved, in view of the great necessity of particular 
care in the introduction of brethren into the solemn and 
responsible office of the Christian ministry, that the 
churches be respectfully requested to procure the con- 
current advice and approbation of neighboring churches 
and ministers, whenever a candidate, after a suitable trial, 
is to be licensed to preach the Gospel.'' After a sermon 
by Elder Nathan Peck, agent of the Convention, from 
Matthew, 11:5, last clause of the verse, a collection was 
taken, amounting to $46.43. Among the contributions 
as given in the Treasurer's report, are a skein of thread 
and one of yarn, one pair "pillar-cases," a pair of ear knobs 
and a finger ring, sixpence found on the floor; one dollar 
from Sister Mott by black John, four dollars from a Gos- 
pel Debtor. 

The fourteenth session was held in Covert, Sept. 2d 
and 3d, 1835, U. B. Miller, of Farmerville, was Modera- 
tor, P. D. Gillette, of Elmira, preacher of the introductory 
sermon. Deacon C. V. Covert, (now of Farmer Village) 
was one of the delegates from Ovid. Rev. Thomas 
Dowling, brother of the well-known author of the history 
of Romanism, was pastor at Trumansburg. Rev. Na- 
thaniel Kendrick, of Madison University, preached what 
the report describes as " a sound and very interesting 
sermon, from Matthew, 24:14. Among the many resolu- 



42 Seneca Baptist Association. 

tions are those favoring Sunday-Schools, the raising of 
$500 for the State Convention, and the following: 

" Resolved, that as a proper division of labor is desira- 
ble, we affectionately request our sisters to take the 
management of the tract cause into their hands, and 
earnestly recommend them, as they love the cause of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, to commence the monthly distribu- 
tion of tracts, in all their respective neighborhoods." 

" Resolved, that we recommend to our brethren and 
sisters (italicised in original) energetic and persevering 
efforts in the use of all laudable means for the suppression 
of intemperance." 

Perhaps our honored fathers discerned in the dim 
future, the Woman's temperance movement. The reso- 
lution that follows might well be laid to heart by our 
churches to-day. 

" Resolved, that the churches be requested to ascertain 
the location of their non-resident members, and advise 
them to unite with the nearest sister churches." 

A series of statistical questions are proposed to the 
churches, which foreshadow the valuable statistical blanks 
now issued by the State Convention. 

The circular letter takes for its theme the duty of 
praying for the ministry. " Multitudes are watching the 
minister, ready to blazon abroad to the world's end, in the 
most exaggerated form and blackened colors, even a 
seeming fault in the minister. Men with ten thousand 
diversities of taste, all expect to be edified and pleased 
by one poor, imperfect, erring mortal. How much he 
needs the wisdom that cometh from above to direct him, 
and the almighty grace of God to sustain him! Do you 
want the Sabbath to be a season of refreshing, to have 
your souls fed with the sweet bread of heaven, to drink 
of the pure waters from the wells of salvation ? This you 
expect as the gift of God ; but through what channel do 
you expect it to flow ? why, through the labors of the 



Seneca Baptist Association. 43 

minister. Then let your most fervent prayer ascend, that 
he may come forth in the fullness of the blessing of the 
gospel of Christ. In thus praying for the minister you 
get a double blessing." 

The corresponding letter states that the churches are 
warmly enlisted in the temperance cause, increasing at- 
tention is given to Sabbath-Schools and Bible classes, the 
annual contributions are increasing. The number bap- 
tised during the last year is 202, net increase 112, whole 
number 2133 ; the contributions for the Missionary Con- 
vention exceed $500. 

The fifteenth annual session was held Sept. 7th and 
8th, 1836, at Horseheads, with the Baptist church in 
Elmira, Chemung Co. Rev. C. G. Carpenter gave the in- 
troductory sermon, Rev. T. S. Sheardown was Modera- 
tor. Brother Jacob Thomas, appointed missionary " to 
bear the name of Christ far hence to the Shans," preach- 
ed to " a large and highly gratified audience." This is 
one of the few instances in which the sermon is com- 
mented upon by the Clerk of the Association. As a rule, 
only the text and the name of the preacher are given. 
The resolutions approve of the formation of the American 
and Foreign Bible Society, change the time of meeting 
to the first Wednesday in June, commend the " Mother's 
Monthly Journal," edited by Mrs. Mary Kingsford, pub- 
lished by Bennett and Bright, Utica, and recommend the 
Association to raise $700 next year for the Convention. 
The church in Factoryville was received into the fellow- 
ship of the Association. 

The circular letter is once more a plea for missionaries, 
because, as is stated, "we hear with much concern, that 
there exists among you a feeling of opposition to the 
principles and operations of the missionary enterprise." 
There seems to have been just enough of the anti-mission 
spirit in the Association, to show that such a spirit had 
an existence, but the distinct utterances of the church let- 



44 Seneca Baptist Association, 

ters, and the liberal gifts to the missionary treasury, show 
that, as a whole, the Association was an early, faithful, 
and enduring friend to the cause of missions. Anti j 
mission Baptists scarcely had a name to live, and the 
only church we learn of their founding, seems to have 
given but a few convulsive gasps after its birth. The op j 
position to the support of benevolent societies, was weak 
and short-lived in the Seneca Association, and in the 
encouragement and support of the Sunday-School, of 
ministerial education, and of the Baptist Publication So- 
ciety, it early adopted a wise and Christian policy. 

The sixteenth annual session was held with the Second 
Church in Hector, at Mecklenburg, June 7th and 8th, 
1837. Rev. P. Shedd preached, from First Corinthians, 
10:31. Rev, C. G. Carpenter, was Moderator. Rev. O, 
C. Comstock, who was present as a visiting brother, 
preached a sermon in aid of Foreign Missions. The 
resolutions approve the work of the various benevolent 
societies, and invite any of the churches which may differ 
from the opinions thus expressed to " forward their views" 
to the next annual meeting of the Bible Society, to be 
held at Bennettville, in January. 

The circular letter was written by Rev. H. C. Vogell, 
subject: "Domestic Religion," and points to the im- 
portance of looking to first principles in all the under- 
takings of life. The session of the Association is said to 
have been peculiarly marked by kind, liberal, and brother- 
ly feelings, and by manifest tokens of the favor of God. 

The Association met at Romulus, Oct. 3d, 1838. Rev* 
A. Jackson, preached the introductory sermon ; Rev. C. 
G. Carpenter, was Moderator. Among the delegates 
were, Rev. T. S. Sheardown, and Dea. A. C. Mallory, of 
Catlin, Dea. A. Miller, and S. Sackett, of First Hector, 
G. Faussett, of Lodi, E. Gardner, of Romulus, R. Barto, 
of Trumansburg. After a sermon by Elder John Peck, a 
collection of fifty dollars was taken for domestic missions* 



Seneca Baptist Association. 45 

Rev. C. G. Carpenter, wrote the circular letter, — on the 
discipline of churches. It is full of excellent practical 
suggestions. We give a brief synopsis. " Christians 
should be associated in the church relation. Those 
things which are essential to membership should be put 
in writing. It is easier to prevent difficulties than to 
Settle them. A general, faithful, affectionate and mutual 
care, inducing a vigilant attention to each other's Well- 
being, is necessary to preserve the honor of the church. 
It is important that there should bean individual, gen- 
eral, and distinct recognition of the sentiment, that a rule 
is essential to order ; and that where there is a rule there 
must be authority ; and where there is authority, there 
must be subjection. Order or anarchy will prevail. If 
the former, it must result from submission. A cordial 
acquiescence in the views of the majority of the brethren 
as the constituted authority, becomes an imperative duty. 
To sustain liberally a faithful minister is of vital import* 
ance, to the order and beauty, if not to the perpetuity of 
the church. Great care should be exercised in the recep- 
tion of members* There should be evidence that they 
have passed from death unto life, and that they cordially 
adopt the principles and practices maintained by the 
church. A brother should not leave his place in the 
church on account of the faults of others. In case an of- 
fence is committed which cannot be proved, fellowship 
with the innocent should not be broken. If we suspect 
that an individual is guilty of crime, our suspicions should 
not be indulged. Jealousy is cruel as the grave. If a 
difficulty occurs, a general rule should be to prevent pub- 
licity. The highest praise of laws is that we live under 
them without litigation : evangelical principles should 
supersede an appeal to church authority. A church con- 
scious of her important station should never descend 
from her dignity, nor allow any to trifle with her authori- 
ty. Improprieties should not be tolerated in any indi* 



46 Seneca Baptist Association. 

vidual, because his money, his influence, or his talents, 
are needed in the church ; these, if unsanctified and un- 
consecrated, will prove a curse rather than a blessing." 

The eighteenth session was held at Bennettville, the 
Association meeting once more in October. (Oct. 2d and 
3d, 1839.) The introductory sermon, was by Rev. T. S. 
Sheardown, S. S. Parr, of Ithaca, was Moderator. The 
church in Delmar was dismissed to unite with the Bradford 
Association. Sermons were heard from Rev'ds John 
Peck, and J. D. Cole. A committee on articles of faith, 
recommended the articles adopted by the New Hamp- 
shire Baptist State Convention, also a temperance pledge. 
The articles of faith, Church covenant, and temperance 
pledge, were recommended to the churches of the As- 
sociation. The Association reports the following organi- 
zations : The Seneca Baptist Ministerial Conference; 
ministers and deacons are eligible to membership. The 
Seneca Baptist Bible Society. The Seneca Baptist Tract 
Society, B. R. Swick, President ; T. Burr, L. Porter, N. 
Cole, Vice-Presidents; C. Deland, Secretary; J. McLallen, 
Treas., and Depository. The Seneca Baptist Foreign 
Mission Society, W. E. Locke, President ; W. C. Gordon, 
M. Colegrove, W. H. Wisner, Vice-Presidents ; S. S. 
Parr. Sec'y-> J. Wilsey, Treas. In the list of solicitors 
are the names of C. Bainbridge, Romulus, C. V. Covert, 
Farmerville, W. Vaughn, Hector, A. Bloomer, Ovid. The 
last two societies were organized at this session of the 
Association. 

During this year the spiritual blessings of the churches 
were abundant. The churches in Big Flats, Covert, 
Elmira, Farmerville, First and Second Hector, Ithaca, 
Lodi, Peach Orchard, Southport, Trumansburg, and 
Danby, report revivals — and the whole number of bap- 
tisms is four hundred and eighty-three ; ninety-five of 
these being reported by Trumansburg; gain from last 
year three hundred and eighty-five. We need not be sur- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 47 

prised that the brethren were blessed with a delightful 
and harmonious session. 

For the first time, we find a report from the Sunday- 
Schools of the Association. Covert has four schools, 
Farmerville, First Hector, Second Hector, Ithaca, Peach 
Orchard, Painted Post, Reading, Romulus, and Trumans- 
burg, each one. The names of six Superintendents are 
given, W. B. Ditmars, Farmerville, M. Colegrove, Second 
Hector, S. Hunt, Ithaca, E. Payne, Jr., Peach Orchard. 
E. Gardner, (now of Trumansburg) Romulus, E. S. 
Palmer, Trumansburg. Ithaca reports seventy scholars ; 
-Trumansburg a library of three-hundred and seventy 
volumes. 

The nineteenth session was held at Trumansburg, Oct. 
7th and 8th, 1840, introductory sermon by Rev. Demas 
Robinson, of the church in Southport and Elmira. W. 
E. Locke, of Trumansburg, was Moderator, The num- 
ber of delegates was very large. Sermons were preached 
by Rev'ds. Lewis Leonard, and Nathaniel Kendrick. On 
motion it was 

" Resolved, that all the ministers that have come into 
the Association during the past year, shall pass before an 
examining committee consisting of Brethren Locke, 
Woolsey, Carpenter, Sheardown and Kimball." 

The Committee afterward reported that they had ex- 
amined the credentials and standing of Brethren D. 
Bellamy, L. Ransted, S. M. Plum, J. Leach, and E. A. 
Hadley, and recommended them to the fellowship of the 
Association. A committee was appointed to prepare a 
constitution and rules of decorum, to be presented at the 
next meeting. The church in Fairport was received as a 
member of this body. A semi annual meeting was ap- 
pointed for the special consideration of the benevolent 
operations of the church. The church in Elmira reports 
that a spirit of discord has been manifest. Second 
Hector has had a revival. A number of conversions are 



48 Seneca Baptist Association. 

reported by Ithaca. This church states that over one 
dollar in every thirty owned by its members is paid out 
annually to sustain the interests of the gospel. The 
church at Reading has welcomed new converts. In ad- 
dition to the list of last year, Big Flats, Delmar, Factory - 
ville, Lodi, Southport, and Elmira, report Sunday-Schools. 
Ovid has ninety-four scholars, Trumansburg seventy-five. 

The circular letter is on the legal and Christian dispen- 
sations contrasted. The several benevolent organizations 
of the Association held a meeting at Peach Orchard, 
convening Jan. 15th, 184T. It was 

" Resolved, that the principles of translation for which 
the American and Foreign Bible Society contends, can 
never be abandoned, as long as love to God and to a 
heathen world continues to possess our hearts." 
THIRD DECADE. 

The Association met with the church in Ithaca, Oct. 
6th and 7th, 1841. Rev. W. E. Locke, preached the 
opening sermon, Rev. C. G. Carpenter, was Moderator. 
The committee appointed to prepare a constitution and 
rules of order, reported a code which was adopted by the 
Association. Rev. Alfred Bennett, and Rev. L. Leonard 
preached. The Missionary Committee reported that the 
following churches, South Creek, Delmar, Danby, Factory- 
ville, and Catlin, had received aid from the Association 
during the past year to the amount of $225. There have 
been revivals in the churches in Covert, Elmira, and Fair- 
port, Farmerville, First Hector, Ithaca, and Trumansburg. 
The church in Elmira have just opened their new house 
of worship. The circular letter, by Rev. D. Robinson, is 
on Christian Responsibility. 

The semi-annual meeting was held at Lodi, Jan. 20- 
22, 1842. The brethren had discovered that the ma- 
chinery of their many organizations was too cumbersome, 
and the several societies were disbanded. A Board of 
Managers, of which Rev. D. Bellamy was Chairman, was 



Seneca Baptist Association. 49 

appointed to take charge of the benevolent work of 
the Association. 

The twenty-second annual session was held with the 
church in Elmira, C. DeLand, preaching the introductory 
sermon, Jirah D. Cole, afterward well-known throughout 
the State, as a representative of the State Convention, be- 
ing Moderator. Rev. L. Leonard, agent of the State 
Convention, preached from Hosea, 2:15, " The valley of 
Achor for a door of hope," and received a collection of 
$33. The following churches were dismissed, at their re- 
quest, to form the Chemung River Association : Big 
Flats, Big Flatt and Catlin, Caton, Catlin, Elmira , and 
Fairport, Southport and Elmira, and Factoryville. 

The circular letter was on " Maintaining a closer walk 
with God." To aid in so doing, attention was directed 
to the following considerations : 

I. " We must cultivate a more intimate acquaintance 
with the Word of God." 

II. " We must practice daily, a strict self-examination 
before God." 

III. " We must exercise immediate repentance before 
God, and application to the Savior for the forgiveness of 
all our sins.'' 

IV. " We should faithfully attend to all the duties en- 
joined on us as members of the church of Christ." 

Under this head it is noted that : " All meetings of 
business, such as discipline, or of pecuniary matters, de- 
mand the punctual attendance of the brethren. We can- 
not maintain a close walk with God, and not feel identi- 
fied with the interests of his cause.'' 

V. " The blessedness of those who enjoy a close walk 
with God." 

An analysis of the Minutes of the Association from its 
formation, was prepared by Rev. W. E. Locke. The 
contributions for the year in cash and goods amount to 
nearly $200. 



50 Seneca Baptist Association, 

The report of the executive committee, is for the most 
part, devoted to denunciation of the action of the Ameri- 
can Bible Society, which, " as the accredited organ of the 
Pedobaptists, stands pledged before the Christian public 
to perpetuate, in all the versions over which they exert an 
influence, the concealment of a large proportion of Di- 
vine truth. Upon us now devolves the distribution of 
full and unadulterated translations of the Word of God, 
among all the nations of the earth." The semi annual 
meeting was held at Enfield Center, Jail. 19th and 20th, 
1842. 

At the twenty-third session, held at Ovid, (Scott's 
Corners) Rev. A. B. Earle, the well-known evangelist, 
preached the introductory sermon from, Psalms, 14551 1, 
" They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom, and 
talk of thy power." Deacon Allen Pease, and Bro. Tim- 
othy Burr, were appointed a committee to appraise goods. 
The church of Lansing and Genoa, from the Cortland As- 
sociation, was received as a member of this body. Rev. 
L. Leonard, agent of the State Convention, received 
from the Treasurer of the Association $218.31 in cash 
and $84.94 in goods. 

The circular letter was on Religious Meditation. 1. As 
a duty. 2. Seasons set apart for the performance of this 
duty. 3. Manner in which this duty is to be performed. 
4, Benefits of religious meditation. The semi-annual 
meeting was held at Trumansburg, Jan. 18th and 19th 

1843. 

The report of the executive committee, pleads again 
the cause of the Bible Society, and for a general increase 
of benevolent effort. " The denominational existence of 
Baptists is based upon the great Protestant principle, — 
' the Bible without addition, diminution, comment, or 
gloss, is the only rule of gospel faith.' Your committee 
feel humiliated in view of the little interest felt, in our 
Association, in the noble cause of missions. Probably 



Seneca Baptist Association. 51 

few bodies of the same extent in our country are in pos- 
session of more worldly wealth than the Seneca Baptist 
Association, and yet some raise four and five hundred per 
cent more than we do. May the Lord forgive our past 
inefficiency, and prompt us to more self-denying efforts 
in this cause !" Among the books especially commended 
by the committee for home reading, are : Jones' Church 
History, Church Member's Guide, Pilgrim's Progress, 
Hinton's History of Baptism, and Howell on Communion. 
The two largest single contributions for benevolence are 
$28, from the Elmira Female mite society, and $16.60, 
from the Female Karen Society, of Farmerville. 

The twenty-fourth annual meeting was held at Reading, 
Oct. 2d, 1844. Rev. Howell Smith preached, from Isaiah, 
33:6. "Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of 
thy times, and strength of salvation." It was voted that 
Elder P. Shedd, preach the introductory sermon at the 
next meeting, and that Elder Sheardown be his alternate. 
Semi-annual meetings were to be dispensed with after 
the present year. The Corresponding Secretary gives an 
analytical table of all the Associations in the State. The 
Association contributes $140, to the State Convention, 
including two pairs of shoes and one pair of socks, the 
latter the gift of widow Newbury. The Covert Female 
Missionary Society, contributes $16.25, and a gold ring 
for home missions. The church at Covert reports large 
additions. The church at Trumansburg states that "they 
are building a spacious house in place of their old one " 
which had become too small to accommodate their large 
and interesting congregation. 

The semi-annual meeting was held at Covert, Jan. 17th 
and 1 8th, 1844. The churches were well represented. 
Rev. D. Wright preached, from Luke, 19:8 — claiming 
that " # Christianity makes its converts just and generous." 

In 1845, the Association held its twenty-fifth annual 
meeting at Enfield, Tompkins county. The preachers 



£2 Seneca Baptist Association". 

were Rev'ds. A. Jackson, J. Peck, Z. Grinnell, and A, 
Bennett. Bro. Grinnell's topic was " Comparison between 
the first and second advent of Christ." Brother Lewis 
Porter, in consequence of increasing infirmity, resigned 
the office of treasurer, which he had held for twenty years, 
A vote of thanks was tendered him for protracted and 
faithful services. He was succeeded by James McLallen, 
of Trumansburg, who held the office for eleven years. 
Bro. T. S. Sheardown offered a resolution commending 
to the churches the American Baptist Publication Society. 
The committee on the state of religion, lament that 
during the year just past there have been more exclusions 
than additions by baptism. Only 38 baptisms are re- 
ported, 25 of these in one church, while nine churches 
have not reported one. " There have been nine changes 
of pastors within the past year, ( an evil to be deplored ) 
and four are without pastors, two of which are feeble 
bands and need our sympathies." The committee con- 
tinue with words of comfort and exhortation, which the 
church at any period of her history may well hear and 
heed. " God, however, has not forsaken us. Some mercy 
drops have fallen. A sense of dependence on the divine 
blessing is awakening a spirit of prayer for revivals, while 
a view of our low estate covers us with shame for our 
backslidings, and unfaithfulness to our covenant vows, 
All of our churches have houses for worship. Five of 
them are embarrassed with debts, but are generally doing 
worthily to remove these injurious incumbrances. Con- 
tributions are presented by most of the churches for 
missions, etc., but not so ample as the pressing necessities 
of the cause demand, and probably from lack of more 
fervent piety. The monthly concert of prayer is sus- 
tained by some, and might well be by all. Sabbath- 
Schools and Bible classes are reported as excellent auxil- 
iaries in the inculcation of sacred truth, and have been 
richly blessed to certain of the superintendents and 



Seneca Baptist Association. $3 

teachers. We recommend them to the persevering efforts 
of the saints, as well adapted to the religious training of 
our youth." 

" Upon a review of our present state, is it not high time 
to awake out of sleep, and gird ourselves to the work of 
our Lord? We have not changed our creed, nor re- 
linquished our profession, but we have sadly declined in 
fervent piety ; and our reputation for purity and spirit* 
uality is grievously sullied before the ungodly. And 
while much has been said of means, we have not employ- 
ed them with entire dependence on the efficiency of the 
Holy Spirit, and ( have, therefore, been comparatively 
fruitless in our efforts. Have we not cared for this world 
more than the next ? regarded the body more than the 
soul ? sought our own convenience more than the honor 
of our Lord, and the conversion of the ungodly? Who 
does not acknowledge the need of a reformation ; a re- 
turn to primitive faith and zeal ? Shall it come to pass? 
Let us search and try our own ways, and turn again unto 
the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto 
God in the heavens. Let us bring all the tithes into the 
storehouse, and prove the Lord therewith ; and He will 
surely pour us out an abundant blessing. Do not say, ' the 
time is not come for a revival ' ! but seek it by earnest, 
persevering prayer, unt;l the answer is received. Wait 
not till the usual prayer day, the first of January, but be- 
gin without delay." 

It may be that these items of experience, brought forth 
from the treasure-house of the past, will encourage Christ- 
ians of to-day, who see the same causes of discourage- 
ment, and meet the same temptations as did our fathers 
thirty-five years ago. 

The contributions of the churches were nearly double 
what they were the preceding year, amounting to $822.- 
49. The sisters were evidently doing their part of this 



54 Seneca Baptist Association. 

work, as the Female Mission Society in Covert, gives 
$27, that in Farmer Village $26, and that in Hector $9. 

The semi-annual meeting was held at Newfield, when 
Rev. T. S. Sheardown was Moderator, and preached the 
opening sermon. 

The twenty-sixth annual session was held at Farmer- 
ville, Oct. 7th and 8th, 1846, opening sermon by T. S. 
Sheardown. Other sermons were by Rev'ds. J. Peck, Z. 
Freeman, and A. Bennett. 

The brethren of the Farmer Village church invited the 
members of the Association to participate with them in 
the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The invitation was 
accepted, and the church, then, with the brethren and 
sisters from the several churches, came around the Table 
of the Lord, and enjoyed a season of unusual interest. 
Brethren John Peck, and Alfred Bennett, officiated as 
administrators. "It was a scene that will long be remem- 
bered by all present, for, — 

' Heaven came down our souls to greet, 
And glory crowned the mercy seat.' " 

The contributions this year amount to over $1,000; in- 
cluding $250, paid by Deacon Lewis Porter, in full of a 
legacy to the B. G. Convention, of F. M., he being his 
own executor. This was the first of several large sums 
paid by Deacfon Porter to objects of benevolence. It is a 
pity that many other well-to-do Christians do not become 
their own executors. Deacon Porter, finding that from 
increasing infirmity he was not able to retain the office of 
treasurer of the Association, did not forget that he was 
treasurer for the Lord. 

The twenty-seventh annual session was held at Meck- 
lenburg, Tompkins county, Oct. 6th and 7th, 1847. Rev. 
C. Wardner, gave the opening sermon, from John, 15:9. 
The Berean church of Ithaca, was received as a member 
of the Association. The committee appointed at last 
session to prepare a statistical account of the Association, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 55 

was " exonerated," and a new committee was appointed. 
The contributions foot up some $1800., which includes 
$200. received by legacy from Dea. John McLallen, of 
Trumansburg, and $350. by legacy from Dea. L. Porter, 
of Covert. The Female Karen Society, of Farmerville, 
and the Female Bible Society, of Trumansburg, keep up 
their contributions. The committee on the state of re- 
ligion are " glad to notice one part of vineyard labor per* 
formed in pruning the withered branches." 

The twenty-eighth annual meeting was held at Tru- 
mansburg, Aug. 30th and 31st, 1848, and the session was 
one of unusual interest. The number of delegates in at- 
tendance was very large. Rev. J. H. Morrison, gave the 
introductory sermon, from Second Timothy, 2:3 — " Thou 
therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus 
Christ." At this time the Association seems to have ap- 
pointed its first missionary committee, consisting of 
Breth. J. H. Morrison, H. West, and C. Wardner. Four 
collections were taken at this Associational meeting, 
amounting to over $100. The missionary committee re- 
commended an appropriation of $150 for Elder T. S. 
Sheardown, pastor at Jefferson, ( Watkins ) the amount 
of goods appropriated not to exceed $30. The report on 
the state of religion informs us that four of the churches 
have enjoyed revivals of a cheering character, the general 
tone of the letters is encouraging,and many of the churches 
are improving in their temporal and spiritual interests. 
The amount for benevolence is $1357.18, including $280. 
from Deacon Porter's legacy ; the woman's missionary 
societies doing their part. The church at Ovid stands 
first in the list of contributors this year. The church at 
Trumansburg reports that it has raised nearly $500. to 
pay a debt, and $22. for an aged colored brother, John 
Roberts. 

A statistical account is given of " the rise and progress 
of the Seneca Baptist Association, organized at Farmer- 



56 Seneca Baptist Association. 

ville, Sept. 4th, 1822." To this account succeeding 
gatherers of statistics seem to have been deeply indebted. 

The Association met on its twenty-ninth anniversary 
at Lodi, on the third of Oct. 1849. R ev - H. West, was 
Moderator, and preacher of the introductory sermon. 
An appropriation of $150. cash, was recommended for the 
support of " our esteemed brother," T. S. Sheardown, at 
Jefferson, and of $100 for the Berean church at Ithaca. 
The following preamble and resolution were ordered 
printed : 

"Whereas, our brethren, F. O. Nelson, in Sweden, and 
Dr. G. Achilli, in Rome, are suffering persecution for the 
truth as it is in Jesus, — the former at the hands of a life- 
less Pedobaptist Protestantism, the latter, by the revived 
and terrible Inquisition of the Romish church. 

Resolved, 1, That our attachment to those gospel 
truths and institutions for which they suffer, is dearer to 
us than even life itself. 2, That we tender our sympa- 
thising and prayerful remembrance to those brethren, 
and to all who are suffering in like manner, for the sake 
of Jesus and his gospel, in any part of the earth." 

From the digest of letters, we learn that the church in 
Covert have nearly completed their new house of worship. 
The church at Ovid have just finished a parsonage at a 
cost of $1000. The church at Trumansburg, although 
called to suffer temporal loss by fire, are not discouraged. 
They have built a commodious lecture room, and expect 
that their new church will be finished next year. They 
report a precious revival. The church at Jefferson, state 
that pestilential sickness and death in the village, and 
the serious illness of their beloved pastor, have hindered 
their preparations for offering themselves for membership 
in this body. The benevolent report is a favorable one. 
Total received $1,152.62, including legacies of $150. from 
Dea. Porter, and $85. from Mrs. Keziah Scott, of the Ovid 
church. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 57 

The thirtieth session was held Oct. 2d and 3d. 1850, at 
Covert. Rev. David Taylor preached the first sermon, 
Rev. T. S. Sheardown was Moderator. In accordance 
with the request of the Association, the venerable father 
Alfred Bennett, gave a discourse on the death of Adon- 
iram Judson, D. D., taking as his text Second Timothy, 
4: 7 — " I have finished my course." 

The committee on the state of religion, mourn over a 
decrease in the liberality of the churches. The committee 
on resolutions allude in suitable terms to the death of the 
noble Judson, recognize the hand of Providence in the 
efforts to establish a University at Rochester, regret the 
formation of the American Bible Union, " which was 
brought into existence in a factionary manner," and ex- 
press entire and unabated confidence in the A. F. Bible 
Society. It is recommended that each church establish 
and sustain a Sunday-School, to be furnished with a good 
library, and to receive regular visits from the pastor. 
The Farmerville Sunday-School is the only one represent- 
ed in the list of donors for benevolent objects. 
FOURTH DECADE. 

The Association convened for the thirty-first time, at 
Romulus, Oct, I, 185 1. Rev. C. L. Bacon, of Trumans- 
burg, preached the opening sermon, Rev. William Cormac, 
of Ithaca, was Moderator. Sermons were given by 
Brethren John Smitzer, T. S. Sheardown, and J. B. Olcott. 
The Association, by unanimous vote, adopted the follow- 
ing resolution : — 

" That, in the death of our esteemed and venerable 
father in the ministry, the Rev. Alfred Bennett, our 
beloved Zion has sustained a great loss ; the cause of 
missions, a faithful advocate ; the world a ' bright and 
shining light ; ' and while we sorrow that we shall no 
more hear his familiar voice in our earthly convocations, 
yet we rejoice in the assurance that he rests from his la- 
bors, and his works do follow him." 



$8 Seneca Baptist Association. 

The donations from the churches were found to exceed 
those of the last year by more than $300. The total is 
$1,311.16. The circular letter is on the subject of "Family 
Worship/' 

The Association convened at Ovid, Oct. 6th, 1852. 
Rev. I. Fargo, Jr., of Romulus, gave the introductory 
sermon, Rev. C. Wardner was Moderator. Elder Shear- 
down was once more one of the preachers. Each church 
was requested to provide its history to assist in preparing a 
history of the Association. The church at Trumans- 
burg heads the benevolent list. The circular letter, writ- 
ten by Rev. C. L. Bacon, is an able plea for attention to 
the claims of social worship. 

The thirty-third anniversary was held at Ithaca, Oct, 
3d and 4th, 1853. Rev. J. Easterbrooks, of Lodi, gave the 
opening sermon, Rev. C. L. Bacon, of Trumansburg, was 
Moderator. The following resolution was adopted : 

" That we as pastors and messengers from the churches 
will exert our influence to raise at least $-1000. in the 
Seneca Association for Foreign Missions before the end 
of March next." 

These fathers seem to have believed, not in bringing 
back the standards once advanced, but in rushing forward 
to their rescue. May their sons be as good soldiers \ 
Resolutions were adopted in favor of the Maine Law, 
recommending monthly concerts of prayer, and personal 
application to each church member for a contribution for 
benevolence, " a record of the individual contributions to 
be preserved with the records of the church." 

The committee on the state of religion made an un j 
usually favorable report, rejoicing in the fact that during 
the year just past, there had been an addition by baptism 
to the churches of the Association of three hundred and 
twenty-one members. They hope for an increase in the 
spirit of consecration, increased fidelity and increased 
contributions.. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 59 

The circular letter, by Rev. W. Wilkins, defines a true 
church. " The prayer-meeting constitutes the lungs of 
the church." "The bane of our church in the present 
age, is spasmodic and practical religion ; the canker worm 
is worldly rnindedness ; and the great want is spiritual, 
simple and practical piety. Now brethren and sisters in 
Christ, let us each reform one, take the Bible as our les- 
son-book and code of moral rules, to which, if we con- 
form, we shall live well and secure a happy death." 

The next annual session was held at Mecklenburg, Oct. 
4th and 5th, 1854. Rev. O. W. Gibbs, was Moderator, 
and preacher of the introductory sermon. Resolutions 
were adopted in favor of " Temperance " and " Freedom." 
The church at Watkins asked to be dismissed to join an- 
other Association, but in view of the comparative feeble- 
ness of this church, and the esteem in which it was held 
by the brethren, action was deferred for one year. The 
benevolent contributions amount to $1540.19, Romulus 
standing at the head of the list. The name of the Jeffer- 
son church was changed to Watkins. 

The Association adopted as its own the circular letter 
of the Canisteo River Association, on the distinction be- 
tween Christian fellowship, and Church fellowship. This 
letter is worthy of publication in tract form. 

The thirty-fifth annual meeting was held at Farmer- 
ville, Oct. 3d and 4th, 1855. Rev - J- M - Harris, of Ithaca, 
was Moderator and preacher of the introductory sermon. 
The revival spirit seemed to be wanting in the churches. 
Only thirty-one baptisms are reported. The Reading 
church was dismissed to join the Steuben Association. 
A committee was appointed to visit the feeble church at 
West Lansing. The contributions for benevolence 
amount to $1744.34, including $225 for Rochester Uni- 
versity, and $623.95 to aid feeble churches. As a church, 
Farmerville seems to stand first, with a contribution of 
$225. A quilt, made and presented by Sister Weaver, of 



6o Seneca Baptist Association'. 

Reading, aged seventy-seven years, is appraised at three* 
dollars. The church at Ithaca, is building a new house 
of worship. The church at Mecklenburg has purchased 
a parsonage. The church at Newfield reports that " our 
pastor occupies so much territory that he can spend only 
two hours a week with us/' Romulus reports four week- 
ly prayer-meetings, and four Sabbath-Schools; has 
built a parsonage costing $1400. Watkins has reduced 
its debt from $1600 to $500. 

The next annual session was held at Watkins, Oct. 1st 
and 20, 1856. Rev. J. W. Wiggins, of Farmer'ville, 
preached the introductory sermon, and was chosen 
Moderator. Sermons were delivered by Rev. T. S. Shear- 
down, C. L. Bacon, and J. T. Seeley. 

The sympathy of the Association was tendered to the 
afflicted family of the late Rev. Jacob Grants, who at the 
time of his death was pastor of the church at Lodi. The 
Association, by resolution, expressed its thanks to its late 
treasurer, Deacon James McLallert, of Trumansburg,. 
who for eleven years had ably and faithfully fulfilled the 
duties of his office. Dr. N. W. Folwell, of Romulus, was 
elected his successor. Several of the churches are report- 
ed as much reduced in numbers. The church at Romulus 
stands first in the list of contributors with $316.91. The 
sisters of the Trumansburg church contribute $37.50. 

The circular letter is written by Rev. C. L-. Bacon, sub- 
ject, — Family Culture. 

I. " On parents alone rest the duty and responsibility of 
the moral and religious culture of their children. We 
love the church, the ministry, and the Sabbath-School, 
but they cannot release the parent from his responsibil- 
ity :, this still lies, where God placed it, in the hands of 
those whom affection will prompt to sustain it. How 
may these responsibilities be maintained ? 

1. By the maintenance of a proper parental authority. 
It is a conceded fact that parental authority has very" 



Seneca BapTis? Association. 6t 

much declined in our times. The parent displaced from 
his proper position, can henceforth not even retain the . 
respect and confidence of his family, and may finally ex* 
pect the doom of Eli,— whose sons were vile, and he re- 
strained them not. 

2. It is essential to right family culture that it should 
ireceive an elevated moral tone. Books of a character to 
refine, enlighten and expand the mind, should be found 
in the library; the religious paper should be regarded as 
an essential, and above all, family worship, including the 
reading of a portion of God's Word, and solemn prayer 
to God. 

3. The Lord's day should be observed in the family as 
the means of its proper culture. By this we do not mean 
•a mere constrained inactivity. The proper observance of 
the Lord's day, embraces such rest as the body requires, 
and such spiritual employments as are necessary for the 
good of the soul. To the latter belong worship, religious 
reading, conversation on religious subjects, and solitary 
reflection. These things, taught and enforced by parental 
precept and example, will crown the Sabbath with a 
thousand mercies to every household. It is a most sad 
and palpable dereliction of duty on the part of Christian 
^parents that they do not provide their families with such 
books as are appropriate to Sabbath reading. Pride is 
gratified in dress and equipage, while the shelves of the 
family library are either entirely empty, or, what is worse, 
filled with the light dissipating literature of the day. 

4. This family culture for which we plead, can also be 
very much promoted by cultivating a familiarity with 
our children, on moral and religious subjects. It is a 
strange fact that in many instances the subject of religion 
never becomes a topic of conversation between parents 
and children. The distance between them on this sub- 
ject is sometimes so great, that parents can converse 
with any other persons easier than with their children. 



62 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Such are convicted of a life-long neglect of the spiritual 
interest of their families. They are rearing up a family 
for the world, — but, unless God in mercy to these children, 
employs some other means by which to bring them to a 
knowledge of the truth, — not for heaven. Against such 
an awful dereliction of duty we utter a solemn remon- 
strance. Parents, as those who are alone responsible for 
the moral cultivation of your children, we declare to you 
that you cannot be thus neglectful of their spiritual good 
and be guiltless. You are soon to send them out into 
the world, to make the same mark on society that you 
have made on them. Shall it be for the weal or woe of 
mankind ? " 

We have quoted at length from this circular letter, be- 
cause it seems to be one of the most important and prac- 
tical among the annual epistles. It is not surprising that 
its author, Rev. C. L. Bacon, was called upon more often 
than any other brother in the Association, to prepare its 
epistles general to the churches. 

The thirty-seventh anniversary meeting was held at 
Trumansburg, Oct. 7th and 8th, 1857. Rev - C. A. Votey 
gave the opening sermon, Rev. E. Marshall was Modera- 
tor. For the first time in many years no committee was 
appointed to appraise domestic goods, the contributions 
for objects of benevolence being now made in cash. Yet 
there was an exception to this rule, for we read that after 
a sermon by Rev. H. A. Smith, a collection was taken 
for the Missionary Union, " amounting to $41.69, and a 
gold ring." No letters were received from the churches 
in Danby and West Lansing. It was given as the opinion 
of the Association that much would be gained by con- 
solidating those of our benevolent institutions which are 
kindred to each other in the objects of their organization. 
The depository for religious books was discontinued, and 
the remaining books were apportioned among the several 



Seneca Baptist Association. 63 

Churches, each being recommended to make its portion a 
nucleus for a church library. 

Brethren Votey, Bacon, and Wiggins, were appointed 
to prepare a statistical account of the Association for the 
last ten years. The brethren are exhorted to return to 
the old, friendly, and reviving practice of sustaining neigh- 
borhood meetings. A missionary committee was ap- 
pointed, consisting of one brother from each church. 
The agents of the several societies were limited in their 
addresses to five minutes each. 

The circular .letter was prepared by Rev. J. M. Harris, 
and invites attention to "some of the duties that the 
spiritual wants of our country imperatively demand of 
American Christians." 

I. Fervent prayer should be offered for a lafge increase 
of devoted ministers. A sad deficiency of gospel minis* 
ters is deeply felt and openly acknowledged, by all the 
evangelical denominations of our land. Young men 
Kl have beheld the farmer, the merchant, the mechanic, 
the lawyer, and the physician, select their places of resi- 
dence and quietly pursue their business associations, hav- 
ing the promise of the life that now is, and of that which 
is to come ; and on the contrary, have often seen the 
talented, cultivated, and devoted minister forced from 
place to place by the whims, the prejudices, or the pref- 
erences of a small minority of the churches he has served, 
receiving for his most assiduous labors but a bare support 
£or the present, and compelled to live by faith for the 
future." Yet the writer believes that the man called to 
the ministry will not be moved by such considerations. 

II. A more liberal patronage should be given to those 
societies that are extending in our country the knowledge 
of Christ. The various objections to such societies are 
considered and answered. " If we condemn every organi- 
zation whose management is not perfect, even the church 
will not escape our censure/' 



64 Senpxa Baptist Association. 

III. There should be a more entire consecration of 
American Christians to the work of spreading the gospel 
in our nation, by their own direct, personal efforts. But 
a very small number of them habitually attend the prayer- 
meeting, even when it is in their immediate vicinity. If 
the 800,000 Baptists in the Union but felt and acted up 
to their Christian obligations, all the people of each State 
would soon be reached by the means of grace. 

" Beloved brethren, shall all this work be left to the min- 
ister alone? Can he investigate truth, prepare for the 
pulpit, attend to the imperative demands of the sick, the 
mourner, and the dying, and visit all the members of his 
congregation who require it as their right, and seek out 
those who need the warnings and instructions of the 
gospel? He needs the co-operation of his whole church 
in this important work. God has wisely distributed his 
people as he did the stars in the firmament, and each 
should shine in the sphere to which he belongs. Every 
Christian should consider the souls in his neighborhood 
that know not the Savior, as committed to his charge, 
and should zealously labor to draw them to Christ." 

The church at Farmerville leads the benevolent column, 
with a contribution of $232.55. Ovid stands second; 
Romulus third. A historical table is printed, and it is 
noted, 1st, that the churches have not always reported 
their licentiates, 2d, that during the eleven years previous 
to the formation of the Association, the Covert church 
received by baptism 417, and the Romulus church (in 
six years ) 74. The number licensed to date is given as 
thirty-six. 

The thirty-eighth anniversary meeting was held at 
Bennettsburg, convening Oct. 5th, 1858. The intro- 
ductory sermon was by Rev. B. C. Townsend, Rev. H. 
West was Moderator. Other preachers were, Rev. E. 
Weaver, of Farmerville, T. S. Harrison, of Dundee, Geo. 
Balcom, S. Adsit, and William Shadrach, of Philadelphia, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 65 

the representative of the Publication Society. The 
"Young Reaper" was recommended. $250. was appor- 
tioned to the church at Watkins. Several of the churches 
are found to be without pastors. 

The committee of apportionment reported that to pay 
the debt of the Watkins church, the following sums will 
be needed from the respective churches : 

Bennettsburg, $34-oo Mecklenburg, $20.00 

Covert, 28.00 Newfield, 10.00 

Enfield, 10.00 Ovid, 33.00 

Farmerville 33.00 Peach Orchard, 10.00 

Ithaca, 42.00 Romulus, 40.00 

Lodi, 31.00 Trumansburg, 65.00 

The table may give some idea of the financial ability 
of the several churches at this time. The churches are 
requested to report the number of their non-resident 
members. Nearly one-half of the benevolent contribu- 
tions of the Trumansburg church are credited to the sis- 
ters. Fourteen dollars of Covert's sum was given to help 
redeem a slave. 

Rev. C. A. Votey, writes the circular letter, on the im- 
portance, the cost, and the proper treatment of truth. 
"Some are afraid of the truth. It demands sacrifices 
which they are unwilling to make. No Christian ought 
to be ashamed of his principles. If they are worthy of 
shame they are unworthy of a place in him." 

The thirty-ninth anniversary was held at Covert, Oct. 
4-6, "i 8 59. Rev. C. L. Bacon, of Trumansburg, preached 
the opening sermon and was chosen Moderator. His 
text was Second Peter, 1:16; his theme, — "Christianity 
not a fable, but a fact." Among the visiting brethren 
was the venerable and well-known Elder H. K. Stimson, 
of Racine, Wisconsin, author of " From the Stage Coach 
to the Pulpit," who preached from First John, 2:20. 
Rev'ds. D. Corey, J. M. Harris, A. B. Chase, and E. 
Weaver, preached. Sisters Treman and Earle, partici- 



66 Seneca Baptist Association, 

pated in the general conference. The Ovid Village 
church was received as a member of the Association. 

We quote from the resolutions: 

" Resolved, that life memberships formed on a money- 
basis are not in harmony with the genius of Baptist prin- 
ciples. 

Whereas, it is written : * Let the people praise thee, O 
God, let ALL the people praise thee/ therefore 

Resolved, that we recommend to our churches to in- 
troduce the good old practice of congregational singing." 

It was voted that at the next meeting a special session 
be devoted to the Sabbath-School cause. 

The church at Covert welcomes the churches of the 
Association " as a mother welcomes home her returning 
daughters/' The church at Farmerville reports a year of 
uninterrupted peace and prosperity. " Never, no never, 
have we enjoyed a more precious revival. Brother H. G. 
Dewitt labored with our pastor to our entire satisfaction, 
and to the glory of God. About seventy were added to 
our number. Our Sunday-School and Bible-class have 
been largely attended. We have added to our church 
lot, built sheds, bought a bell, and raised for different ob- 
jects nearly $2000." The church at Ithaca, laments the 
loss of Sister Harris, the beloved wife of the pastor. She 
was untiring in her efforts to advance the cause of Christ. 
Many precious souls were converted in a series of meet- 
ings conducted by the pastor and the Rev. George Bal- 
com. The church at Lodi, report the ordination of their 
pastor Rev. S. V. Marsh. The church at Mecklenburg 
held meetings led by their pastor, Rev. D. Corey, assisted 
by Rev. B. F. Balcom, twenty-three baptisms are report- 
ed. The church at Ovid reports a gracious and unex- 
pected revival, — and the dismissal of fourteen members 
to unite with the Ovid Village church, — sustained five 
weekly prayer-meetings during the summer. The church 
at Romulus states that Rev. H. G. Dewitt labored with 



Seneca Baptist Association. 67 

them for five weeks. They maintain six weekly meetings 
for prayer, four Sabbath-Schools, take about fifty copies 
of the " Examiner," twenty of the " Macedonian,'' twelve 
of the " Home Mission Record." The church at Tru- 
mansburg also makes a very favorable report. The la- 
bors of Brother H. G. Dewitt were greatly blessed to 
them. Many were awakened and took refuge in Christ. 
The work became general through the community. 

The church at Watkins reports a year of unparalleled 
prosperity. The debt, which for years had been a bur- 
den, is removed. Elder George Balcom labored among 
them with great success. They have sustained from three 
to six prayer-meetings every week. They add — " We have 
visited our ancient baptistery, Seneca Lake, thirteen 
times, to bury hopeful converts in the likeness of our 
Savior's death.'' The church at West Lansing reports 
an accession of converts as the result of Elder Dewitt's 
labors with them. The churches report, in all, three 
hundred and sixty-two baptisms for this year. Every 
church receives additions. The Ovid church takes the 
lead in benevolence. The sisters at Tr.umansburg con- 
tribute forty-four dollars to the State Convention. 

The circular letter is by Rev. O. W. Gibbs, on the " re- 
ligious dangers and exigencies of the times. These dan- 
gers are seen : 

I. In the disguises of Satan. 

II. In the disorganizing and revolutionary spirit so 
common to this day. 

III. In the love of popularity, and in the general 
fashionableness of the age. 

The exigencies of the times demand : 

I. Constant watchfulness, and discriminating search. 

II. Executive energy. 

This was one of the most prosperous years in the his- 
tory of the Association. Nearly all the churches received 
large accessions, and the standards of the cross were 



6s Seneca Baptist Association.' 

everywhere carried forward. As a rule, the work Was a 
deep and permanent one, and the after history of the 
churches shows how much they were strengthened and 
edified by the great revival of 1859.. 

The Association met with the church at Lodi, Oct. 2d, 
i860. Rev. E. Marshall, of Covert, preached the opening 
sermon ; Rev. C. A. Votey, of Ovid, \Vas Moderator, 
Sermons by Rev'ds. M. W. Homes, J. B. Smith, B. F. 
Balcom. Brother Winfield Scott appears as a licentiate 
of the Farmerville church. The church of Trumansburg 
stands first in the list of contributors, Ovid second, Farm- 
erville third. The committee on church history recom^ 
mends that each church prepare a history of the origin^ 
progress, and present condition of the church, to be 
placed at the disposal of the Association, and that the 
histories of the three oldest churches be read at the next 
session. 

The church at Covert reports an extensive revival, the 
pastor was assisted by Rev. B. F. Balcom. The Farmer- 
ville church sustains three prayer-meetings. The church 
at Ithaca has succeeded in paying for its meeting-house. 
The church at Lodi, aided by Rev. B, F. Balcom, has en- 
joyed a glorious revival. The church at Mecklenburg 
reports a goodly number of converts. The church at 
Newfield reports eighteen additions, Rev. C. A. Votey 
assisted the pastor^ and the community was awakened. 
The church at Ovid Village reports about $2000, sub- 
scribed to build a house of worship. The church at Peach 
Orchard rejoices in a number of converts, the result of 
the labors of Rev. Geo. Balcom. 

Rev. C. L. Bacon writes the circular letter, subject i 
The social religious duties of the female membership. 
The conclusion of the writer is that " in social worship 
woman may, without violating the injunction by which 
the Apostle rebuked the undue assumption of power in 
the sisterhood at Corinth, (1 Cor. 14:34) give expression 



StfrtECA Baptist Association. 69 

to her Christian experience, the joys of a Christian hope, 
and even explain the Scripture to enlighten and save the 
perishing." 

FIFTH DECADE. 

In 1861, the Association convened at Romulus, Oct. i< 
Rev. H. West, preached the introductory sermon ; Rev. 
D. Corey, was Moderator. The name of the church in 
Danby was stricken from the Minutes. The histories of 
the churches in Romulus and Covert Were read. Rev. J. 
B. Smith and Rev. B» W. Capron, preached. 

A committee on the State of the Country, of which 
Rev. C. L. Bacon was chairman, made the following re* 
port, which was adopted : 

" Whereas a formidable rebellion is now raging within 
•our national borders, and threatening the very existence 
of our just and benign government, therefore 

Resolved, that while we deeply deplore the miseries of 
civil war, we nevertheless deem it our solemn duty to 
God, the country, and the world, to sustain our govern- 
ment in putting down this nefarious rebellion ; and we 
pledge thereto our prayers, our property, and, if need be, 
our lives. 

Resolved, that the spiritual welfare of the soldiers who 
•are now enduring the hardships and perils of War on our 
behalf, demand the earnest sympathies, prayers, and 
efforts of God's people." 

Among the licentiates reported this year are, C. E. 
Becker, Bennettsburg, Winfield Scott, Farmer Village, S. 
H. Saylor, Mecklenburg, N. W. Folwell and T. Marsh, 
Jr., Romulus, and Charles E. Barto, Trumansburg. 

The church in Farmer Village reports that on the 5th 
of July they laid the corner stone of a new church edifice 
50 X 80 feet, with lecture room 30 X 36. They write : " Next 
to God, we owe duty to our country." Trumansburg re- 
ports four Sunday-Schools. The Sunday-School statistics 
are unusually full this year. Every church reports a 



jo Seneca Baptist Association. 

school. Farmer Village stands first, with two hundred 
and fifteen teachers and scholars, J. P. Rappleye, Super- 
intendent. Rev. S. V. Marsh writes the circular letter, 
subject ; " Our duties to our national government." We 
owe to the government, — I, submission ; 2, respect; 3, 
support. 

The Association met at Scott's Corners, Sept. 30, 1862. 
Moderator, F. Dusenberry, who preached the opening 
sermon. The committee on religious exercises recom- 
mended that the next evening be devoted to the cause of 
our country, Rev. C. L. Bacon to preach, the sermon to 
be followed by conference and prayer. The following 
resolutions, were adopted : 

1. " Resolved, that while we deplore the evils of the 
civil war, now being waged between the contending sec- 
tions of our Union, we believe the best interests of 
humanity, freedom, and religion, require its prosecution 
on the part of our government until this wicked rebellion 
is utterly crushed out, and peace and unity are again re- 
stored. 

2. Resolved, that as the authors of this rebellion have 
drawn the sword in defence of the system of slavery, we 
are absolved from whatever obligations may have pre- 
viously existed, — legal or moral, — for its protection where- 
ever the rebellion exists ; and as slavery has taken the 
sword, let it perish by the sword. 

3. Resolved, that in the scenes of blood now being en- 
acted, we recognize the righteous judgments of God: for 
our sins as a nation, and it therefore becomes us to bow 
in deep humility and penitence, lest iniquity be our ruin. 

4. Resolved, that the recent proclamation of the Presi- 
dent of the United States is but a step in the order of 
Providence, necessitated by the logic of events : we there- 
fore accept it, and devoutly pray that the same Provi- 
dence which has ordered it will make it a sure proclama- 



Seneca Baptist Association. yt 

lion for liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants 
thereof. 

5. Resolved, that our brethren and friends on the field 
are cherished in our memories and in our prayers ; that 
we will be incessant in our efforts to promote their 
spiritual welfare, trusting in God for their protection in 
the hour of danger, and for their being shielded in the 
day of battle." 

It was voted that the pastors of the churches be re- 
quested to present the claims of the benevolent societies* 
so as to dispense with agents. Rev'ds. S. M. Bainbridge, 
A. B. Chase, J. M. Harris, and M. E. Arkills preached. 

Rev. E. Marshall,— Father Marshall, venerable and be- 
loved, — wrote the circular letter, subject ; " pastoral 
changes." For these changes he blames both ministers 
and churches. " Many ministers place too high an esti* 
mate upon their own talents. The true minister need 
have no concern about finding a higher place. The 
churches are quick to discern and ready, for a time at 
least, to appreciate ministerial talent ; therefore ' a man's 
gift maketh room for him.' Again, ministers are led to 
make a change by the love of gain or the love of fame. 
Other causes of change are found in the churches. A 
church thinks that a minister of extraordinary gifts is 
needed to labor among them. Though their pastor be 
sound in the faith, of blameless life, of sufficient talent to 
be a useful minister, he must be removed to make way 
for another of extraordinary gifts. Such churches would 
do well to remember that extraordinary gifts in the mem- 
bership are as necessary to success as they are in a pastor. 
Churches are sometimes averse to sound doctrine, again 
they yield to the importunities of certain troublers in 
Israel ( instead of excluding them,) on the same principle 
that Pilate .yielded to the crucifixion of our Lord. The 
Jews cried : ' crucify him ! crucify him ! ' Pilate said : 
'why, what evil hath he done? I find no fault in the 



72 Seneca Baptist Association. 

man ; ' nevertheless he delivered him to be crucified. 
Settlements by the year, covetous desires on the part of 
pastor or people, the lack of confidence, are also enumer- 
ated as causes of such changes. 

II. The evils of pastoral changes are noticed. I, They 
create a love of novelty in the people, which unfits them 
to be profited by the gospel. 2, Another evil is the loss 
of ministerial influence. Such influence increases with a 
minister's stay in a congregation. He becomes the spirit- 
ual adviser of his people. 3, The waste of property. 
Here follows a curious computation of what it costs the 
Baptist ministers in the State of New York for their re- 
movals. In twenty years he thinks the changes would 
cost them, for expense of removing and loss of property, 
$320,000. 

III. Remedies for these evils. 

1. All settlements should be based in love. Then will 
the bond uniting church and pastor be so strong that it 
can scarcely be broken. 

2. Whenever a member of a church desires the removal 
of a pastor with whom the church is satisfied, we recom- 
mend that he should keep in silence his desires, or that 
he move away himself, where he can enjoy a ministry 
more congenial with his taste. If it be said he cannot do 
it without sacrifice, we reply neither can the minister be 
removed without sacrifice. If it be said further, the 
member probably would possess more property than the 
pastor, and it would therefore be a greater sacrifice for 
him to remove than it would be for the pastor, we would 
reply again, the member being better able to make the 
sacrifice than the preacher, it would better accord with 
justice for him to do it, and not disturb the peace of a 
church by causing the removal of a man of God from a 
field of useful labor. 

3. The last remedy we shall name is a higher tone of 
piety both in pastors and churches. Then will it be seen 



Seneca Baptist Association. 73 

that the relation between pastor and church was institut- 
ed, not to gratify worldly ambition, nor to nourish un- 
holy passions, but that both should live to glorify God. " 

In 1863, the Association met at Mecklenburg, Oct. 6th. 
S. V. Marsh was preacher and Moderator. Sermons by 
Rev. Dr. V. R. Hotchkiss, of the Rochester Theological 
Seminary, Rev. H. G. Dewitt, the evangelist, and Rev. 
A. C. Mallory, of Benton. 

The Constitution and Rules of Order were revised and 
amended. It is noted that most of the church letters 
express " an interest in our country's imperiled welfare," 
and the hope and confidence that the government will be 
successful in the great struggle with rebellion. At Farmer 
Village the pastor was assisted by Rev. A. B. Earle, and 
a few conversions are reported. At Ithaca, Bro. Earle 
remained for six weeks, and Bro's. Corey and Smith after- 
ward assisted in carrying on the work. " Their labors 
were blessed in the conversion of about seventy souls." 
Trumansburg also reports a gracious revival. 

The circular letter, presented by Brother John Serrine, 
was on the evangelization of the poor. It is in part a 
plea for the free seat system. " Our houses of worship 
should be as free as the gospel." 

In 1864, the Association met at Ithaca, Oct. 4th, in- 
troductory sermon by Rev. D. Corey ; Rev. J. B. Smith, 
Moderator. Sermons by Rev'ds. L. W. Olney, F. D. 
Fenner, L. Ransted, I. Child, and A. B. Woodworth. 

Rev. J. Byington Smith writes the circular letter, on 
personal religious growth. The growing Christian is the 
assured Christian, the joyous Christian, the useful Christ- 
ian. Among the means of attaining religious growth 
are the study of the Scriptures, attendance upon the 
ordinary means of grace, and prayer. If a man would be 
a strong Christian, he must be a working Christian. 

The Association met at Farmer Village, Oct. 3, 1865, 
Rev. M. W. Homes was Moderator and preacher of the 



74 Seneca Baptist Association. 

introductory sermon. The church in Waterloo was re- 
ceived as a member of the Association. Sermons by 
Rev'ds. T. S. Harrison, J. N. Folwell, J. M. Harris, and 
D. C. Marshall. Rev. Carl T. Kreyer, under appointment 
as a Missionary, gave an address on China. Farmer Vil- 
lage reports the largest Sunday-School, 225 members. 
The benevolent contributions of the churches amount to 

$I337-I9- 

Rev. Lewis Ransted writes the circular letter on 
" Gospel Church Discipline ! " " A derelict member often 
feels injured and grieved that his case has been reported 
to the church, as is often done, without his knowledge, 
or a word of inquiry or reproof from any one, instead of 
his being visited and labored with in a private capacity 
according to the gospel." The letter is an excellent one. 
Few baptisms are reported either this, or last year. 

The Association met at Trumansburg, Oct. 2d, 1866, 
Rev. J. B. Smith preached the introductory sermon ; Rev. 
H. S. Card was Moderator. Sermons by Rev'ds. O. B< 
Stone, George Balcom. J. N. Folwell, D. F. Leach, and E. 
Royce. The resolutions speak in praise of the American 
Baptist Historical Society, and of a Baptist Catechism, 
written by Rev. J. N. Folwell. Ithaca stands first in the 
Sunday School work. Total of contributions, $1434.13. 

The interesting circular letter, which we would be glad 
to quote at length, is from the pen of Rev. F. D. Fenner, 
on the permanency of the church relation. The author 
is unalterably opposed to the doctrine of secession. Let 
the church relation be a permanent one ! Anything but 
divorce ! The Sunday-School address, by Rev. J. N. 
Folwell, was by vote printed in the Minutes. 

The Association convened at Waterloo, Oct. 1, 1867. 
Rev. J. N. Folwell preached the sermon, Rev. F. D, 
Fenner was Moderator. On the reading of the letter of 
the Trumansburg church, telling of the glorious revival 
with which they had been blessed, and of the death of 



Seneca Baptist Association. 75 

their beloved brother, Elder Lewis Ransted, the Associa- 
tion suspended business and spent a short time in prayer. 
Sermons by Rev'ds. Dr. Jay S. Backus, F. D. Fenner, N. 
Wright, and H. A. Smith. The circular letter by Rev. J. 
N. Folwell, was on " the Lord's Supper." 

The Association met at North Hector, (with the Lodi 
church,) Oct. 6th, 1868. Rev. William Sharpe was preacher 
and Moderator. Sermons by Rev'ds. J. B. Pixley, B. R. 
Swick, W. S. Goodno, and D. C. Marshall. 

In accepting the resignation of James McLallen, after 
long and faithful service as corresponding secretary, the 
Association tendered him a resolution of thanks for his un- 
tiring zeal and faithful labors in its behalf. 

Covert heads the list of Sunday-Schools, with 195 
scholars, T. H. King, Superintendent. The benevolent 
contributions amount to $1596.37, Ithaca standing first. 
The instructive circular letter, by Rev. D. Corey, is on the 
pressing demands of the present age. 

The Association met at Enfield, Oct. 5, 1869. Open- 
ing sermon by Rev. J. N. Folwell, Rev. M. M. Everts 
Moderator. Sermons by Rev'ds. G. A. Starkweather, 
William Rees, M. W. Homes, D. D. Owen, and S. V. 
Marsh. Romulus leads in benevolence. A Sunday- 
School teacher's institute was appointed at Trumansburg, 
and was successfully conducted, in June, by S. A. Ellis, 
of Rochester. Bennettsburg, Farmer Village, and Lodi 
report revivals. Rev. George Balcom assisted Rev. M. 
W. Homes, at Farmer Village. 

The Association met at Covert, Oct 4th, 1870. Rev. 
J. B. Smith, of Geneva, preached ; Rev. D. D. Owen, was 
Moderator. Sermons by Rev. C. B. Parsons, and C. J. 
Shrimpton. Rev. S. Adsit, always a welcome visitor to 
the Association, spoke in behalf of the Rochester Theo- 
logical Seminary. The church in Farmer Village reports 
that Louis J. Gross has been licensed by them to preach 
the gospel, also the death of two of their oldest brethren, 



;6 Seneca Baptist Association. 

pillars in the church, Deacon William Rappleye, aged 95, 
and Deacon John Boorom, aged 74. The church in Tru- 
mansburg reports the licensing of five young brethren, — ■ 
Jay R. Shaw, Lewis Halsey, John E. McLallen, Delazon 
Conley and Frank S. Lyon. Watkins reports a revival, the 
fruit of the labors of Rev. C. W. Brooks. 
SIXTH DECADE. 

The fiftieth anniversary meeting of the Association 
was held at Bennettsburg, Oct. 3d and 4th, 1871. Rev, 
D. D. Owen preached the introductory sermon. The 
officers were, Rev. G. A. Starkweather, Moderator ; Bro, 
C. W. Burghardt, Clerk, and Corresponding Secretary, 
Bro. S. W. Sackett, of Burdett, Treasurer ; Rev. D. D, 
Owen, Chairman of Missionary Committee. 

Rev. Henry E. Robins, D. D., of Rochester, preached 
the Jubilee Sermon, from Revelation, 2:5, — and, in ac- 
cordance with the request of the Association, the sermon 
was printed in the Minutes. It is worthy of more endur- 
ing record. 

Resolutions were offered approving the effort to es j 
tablish and endow Cook Academy, at Havana, and dele- 
gates were appointed to attend a State Educational Con-' 
vention at Ithaca, on the 12th inst. The name of the 
church at Peach Orchard was stricken from the Minutes. 
Rev. G. A. Starkweather, read a brief and comprehensive 
history of the Association, also a statistical table of the 
churches of the Association for fifty years, the table be- 
ing prepared by C. W. Burghardt. By vote of the As- 
sociation, both history and table were published in the 
Minutes. 

Dr. N. W. Folwell, offered his resignation as .Treasurer, 
having held that office for fifteen years. By resolution 
he was tendered a vote of thanks for the zeal and fidelity 
with which he had served the Association. 

For the first time, a contribution is reported for the 
Woman's Baptist Missionary Society. The church in 



Seneca Baptist Association. 77 

Romulus has the honor of being the contributor. Rev. 
C. B. Parsons, of Farmer Village, writes the interesting 
circular letter on "The Mission Work of our Association. 

The next session was held at Mecklenburg, Oct. 1st 
and 2d, 1872. Rev. G. A. Starkweather preacher, Rev. 
C. J. Shrimpton, Moderator. Sermons by Rev's. J. B» 
Fixley, C. Wardner, W. M. Robinson, and C. B. Parsons. 
Quarterly meetings were appointed. The reports of the 
churches show a net loss of members. The Association 
hails with joy the success that has attended the Woman's 
Baptist Missionary Society, and recommends the organic 
zation of an auxiliary society in every church. 

In 1873, the Associational meeting was held in Romu- 
lus, Oct. 7th and 8th ; sermon by Rev. A. B. Chase, Rev. 
C. W. Brooks, Moderator. Sermons by Rev'ds. J. B. 
Smith, J. Hendrick, and George Hopkins. The church 
in Caroline, Tompkins county, was received as a member 
of the Association. The missionary committee reported 
a most interesting work at Newfield, Rev. William Sharpe 
pastor. The committee on obituaries appropriately 
notices the death of Rev. H. S. Card,—" long and well- 
known among us as a faithful, judicious, and loving Christ- 
ian minister." The church in Farmer Village reports 
having dropped from the list the names of sixty-eight 
non-resident members. $3010.32 is given as the sum of 
the contributions, including $2031, for Cook Academy. 
Rev. W. M. Robinson writes the circular letter. 

In 1874, the Association met at Watkins, Oct. 6th; 
sermon by Rev. C. Wardner, of North Hector, Rev. A. 
B. Chase Moderator. Prayer was offered in view of the 
mournful fact, disclosed by the reading of the letters that 
the Association reports fewer members this year than 
last. 

The evening session was devoted to the cause of Mis- 
sions. Rev. Geo. H. Brigham gave an earnest discourse 
from, Isaiah, 2i;i 1, — "Watchman, what of the night!" 



yS Seneca Baptist Association. 

An interesting conference followed, in which most of the 
pastors took part. The ministers present were called on 
for special contributions of five dollars each, and twenty- 
four responded. Letters were received from the Woman's 
Missionary Societies of Romulus and Watkins. Sermons 
followed by Rev'ds W. C. Learned, and T. F. Smith. 

The annual session for 1875, was held at Ovid Center, 
Oct. 5th and 6th, introductory sermon by Rev. C. W. 
Brooks, Rev. C. Wardner, Moderator. Dr. N. W. Fol- 
well, of Romulus, for the last time cheering the hearts of 
the brethren by his accustomed presence, made an elo- 
quent plea for an increase of benevolent effort. Rev. J. 
Hendrick spoke at length in behalf of the Centennial 
effort to endow Baptist Institutions of learning. Dr. 
Folwell, with several other brethren, subscribed nearly 
six-hundred dollars for Cook Academy. The Sunday- 
Schools of the Association seem to be in a flourishing 
condition. 

A summary of the statistics of the year is presented for 
the first time. 

Number of churches r5. 

" " pastors 13. 

" " baptisms 70. 

Gain of members 52. 

Present number of members 2192. 

Number of Sunday-Schools 14. 

" " Scholars 1343- 

Sum of contributions for benevolence $2,015.60. 

The Woman's Missionary Society of the Seneca As- 
sociation was organized at this meeting, with the follow- 
ing officers : President, Mrs. C. W. Brooks, of Watkins ; 
Vice-President, Mrs. F. D. Fenner, of Scott's Corners ; 
Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Andrew Miller, of Farmer 
Village. The Association was divided into four mission- 
ary districts. The committee on obituaries records the 
death of Deacons Joseph Smith, and Leroy Becker, of 
Mecklenburg, Alexander Baldridge, of Romulus, and 
Elijah Kinne Bloomer, of Scott's Corners. Deacon 



Seneca Baptist Association. 79 

Becker was in the prime of life, and one of the most 
active and useful members of the Association. 

The church at Farmer Village has more than doubled 
its benevolent contributions. Ithaca reports thirty-seven 
baptisms. Newfield has built a parsonage at a cost of 
$2000. Waterloo reports the loss of its meeting-house by 
fire. 

The anniversary meeting for 1876, was held with the 
Caroline Baptist church, at Mott's Corners, Tompkins 
Co., Oct. 3d and 4th. Rev. F. D. Fenner, of Scott's 
Corners, preached the opening sermon, Rev. Lewis 
Halsey, of Farmer Village, was Moderator. Sermons 
were preached by Rev'ds. H. A. Smith, A. D. Abbott, 
and George Brown. 

Brethren L. Halsey, A. C. Mallory, and C. W. Burg* 
hardt were appointed a committee on a history of the 
Seneca Association, "to be published in book form." 

The church at Covert reports the purchase of a Cen- 
tennial Bell, rung for the first time July 4, 1876. The 
church in Farmer Village reports increased interest in the 
Sunday-School. The letter of the North Hector church 
tells of a terrible tornado, which unroofed and nearly de- 
stroyed their house of worship. The church in Ithaca has 
been bereaved of two deacons and two trustees. The 
church in Ovid notes a growing interest in Bible study. 

The next session was held at Fapner Village, Oct. 2d 
and 3d, 1877. The number of delegates in attendance 
was unusually large. Rev. Thomas G. Wright preached 
the introductory sermon, Rev. F. D. Fenner was Modera- 
tor. Sermons were preached by Rev. A. D. Abbott, of 
Enfield, Rev. C. P. Sheldon, D. D., of Troy, Rev. H. F. 
Titus, of Ithaca, and Rev. J. J. Phelps, of Trumansburg. 
The Tabernacle Baptist church of Ithaca, was received as 
a member of the Association. Mrs. A. C. Mallory, of 
Covert, read a historical sketch before the Woman's Mis- 
sionary Society. The committee on obituaries note the 



So Senpxa Baptist Association. 

death of Rev. William Spaulding, " who for more than 
fifty years was a faithful minister of the gospel of Christ, 
and for more than thirty years served the church in 
Caroline as its pastor." He died triumphant in faith, 
Sept. 3, 1877, at the age of 83 years. 

On motion it was " Resolved, that we heartily endorse 
the Gospel Temperance movement." 

Rev. H. F. Titus presented the following resolution, 
which was adopted: 

" Whereas, the church whose guests we are is deeply 
bereaved, by the sudden death of Deacon John S. Brooks: 

Resolved, that we extend to them, and to the sorrow- 
ing family of the deceased, our tenderest Christian sym- 
pathy, praying that they may recognize in this affliction 
the staff as well as the rod of the Heavenly Father." 

The Woman's Missionary Society was addressed by 
Mrs. F. D. Fenner, of the church in Ovid, and the follow- 
ing officers were elected : President, Mrs. F. D. Fenner ; 
Vice-President, Mrs. Andrew Miller ; Secretary and 
Treasurer, Mrs. A. C. Mallory. 

The committee on the state of religion, notes that sev- 
eral of the churches have carefully revised their lists of 
members, but express the fear that the Association is not 
holding its own in numbers and influence. The church 
in Enfield has built a parsonage. Farmer Village reports 
special interest in the prayer-meetings. The church in 
Ithaca has paid all debts and improved its church build- 
ing. On the 28th of May they celebrated their Semi- 
centennial Jubilee. 

The Association held its fifty seventh annual session 
with the First Baptist Church in Ithaca, Oct. 1st and 2d, 
1878. Rev. Lewis Halsey, of Farmer Village, preached 
the introductory sermon, from Mark, 13:4, — "To every 
man his work!" Rev. A. D. Abbott, of Enfield, was 
chosen Moderator, Rev. J. J. Phelps, of Trumansburg, 
and Bro. L. B. Albert, of Ovid Village, Clerks. The first 



Seneca Baptist Association. 8i 

evening session was given to devotional services led by 
Rev. A. C. Mallory. The committee on the state of re- 
ligion regret the almost universal absence of revival in- 
fluences in the churches, and plead for a closer walk with 
God on the part of pastors and people. 

The report of the committee on obituaries, and the 
letter of the church in Trumansburg, pay loving tribute 
to the memory of Deacon James McLallen. For twenty- 
eight years he was a Deacon of the church in Trumans- 
burg, and for thirty-five years was Corresponding Secre- 
tary of the Seneca Association. 

Prof. John Green, of Hamilton, preached the closing 
sermon, from Mark, 12:43-44. 

The Association accepted, with thanks, an invitation 
from President Andrew D. White, of Cornell University, 
to visit that institution, and were welcomed by President 
White, Rev. Dr. W. D. Wilson, L. H. D., and Prof. Wil- 
lard Fiske, Librarian of the University. 

The tables of statistics are imperfect, the churches fail- 
ing to make full reports. This failure must be regretted 
by all who have an interest in the history of the Associa- 
tion. 

The officers of the Woman's Missionary Society are: 
President, Mrs. C. W. Brooks ; Vice-President, Mrs. An- 
drew Miller ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. A. C. Mal- 
lory ; contributions $168.75. 

The Association adjourned to meet at Trumansburg, 
Oct. 7, 1879. 



The Churches, 




Covert. 



PREFACE. 

" Many and Zealous have been the Laybors of emminent 
Characters at various periods since the Gosple dispensa- 
tion took place, to set in Order the things that were 
lacking in the house of God. And to the Glory of God 
and immortal honor of some Fathers in Israel whose Lay- 
bors have been blest, much good has been done in this 
way. 

While it is also to be Lamented that the minds of many 
have been perverted by the cunning insinuations of some 
Who have laid Aside the commandments of God, and have 
taught for doctrine the precepts of men, — these are they 
that are ever learning, and Yet are never able to come to 
the Knowledge of the truth, professing themselves to be 
free while they are Slaves to lust, teaching also that gain 
is Godliness corrupting the truth, Imposing on the Igno- 
rant, and puzzleing the minds of the weak, — Insinuating 
that the priest's lips Keepeth Knowledge, — and that the 
people should seek the law at his mouth, for he alone 
must be considered as the explainer of truth, and as the 



84 Seneca Baptist Association. 

messenger of the Lord of hosts. Thus by the impious 
Impositions of those impostors who have wantonly turn- 
ed the Grace of God into lasciviousness, and have Sus- 
pended the Important truths of the Glorious Gospel on 
the point of birth and education, have Deprived the Ig- 
norant of Knowledge, the weak of strength, and the 
feeble and dis tressed of comfort. But Glory be to God 
our Savior that in these last goings down of the sun, the 
Lord hath taken unto himself his great Name, and is 
feeding his own flock ( we humbly hope in many parts 
of the world) as in the days of old — bringing his children 
from under the hand of the oppressor, causing them each 
one to set under his own vine and fig-tree, and none to 
make them afraid, — while they have had to Rejoice and 
say we have sat under his shadow, and his fruit was pleas- 
ant to our taste, he also brought us into his banqueting 
house and his banner over us was love — Blessed be the 
Name of our Great shepherd that light has sprung up, 
the Intolerable load of carnal Ordinances are fast falling 
Unto the Ground. Church creeds, cerrimonies, and 
tedious Articles, are also giving place unto the simple 
Rules Exhibited in the Glorious Gosple for the faith and 
practice of the church of Christ, while simplicity of 
manner, a close application unto the word of God, and 
the Knowledge of the truth is Propegating and riseing in 
their stead. Yea, so evident is it, that the Lord is on his 
way to build Jerusalem and to repair the breaches there- 
of, that the very things of Nature are witnessing there- 
unto — for we see that the wilderness and the Sollitary 
places have been made Glad in a Temporal as well as in a 
Spiritual sense — the Desert has blossomed like a rose, and 
springs have broke out in dry places to give drink to 
his flock, his chosen — the lands that lay long in darkness 
have been visited with light, and to them which sat in 
the region and shadow of Death has light sprang up — 
even the Vicinety in which we now live, but a few Years 



Seneca Baptist Association. 85 

ago was Unknown to the civilized world, and was a retreat 
for the voracious tribes of the forest — -no other Voice to 
be heard but the doleful Notes of the birds of darkness, 
the dismal screams of the beasts of pray, and the War- 
whoop of the Natives of the Land- -has since been covered 
over with a Civilized people, and has become vocally a 
place for the high praises of our God. Standards are 
Erected here and there through our Land. Sinners are 
become Subjects unto Sovereign Grace — the heathen are 
Given unto the Son, and Saints are Rejoicing in the Glori- 
ous truths of the gosple. 

thus while we make mention of the General and par- 
ticular Displays of the tender mercies of the Lord our 
God, we feel to desire with Gratitude to adore his Sov- 
reign grace and Living love, that has brought together 
from various parts of the Earth a Number of Rational In- 
telligences, formed their hearts by Grace divine to become 
a people for his praise, and to shew forth his Glory, and 
has United their hearts together with bands of Love, and 
brought them to sit together in heavenly places in Christ 
Jesus, that they might shew forth to Ages yet to come, 
and to the families yet unborn, what Great things the 
Lord hath done for them. 

Therefore we a Little Band through Divine mercy hav- 
ing Received this hope and comfortable evidences, we feel 
to stand fast in the Liberties wherein Christ has sot us 
free. Laying aside the Rules, Ceremonies, Command- 
ments, and Traditions of men, Design at all times, and on 
all occasions, to take the word of God, the holy Scriptures, 
as the man of our council and the only rule of our faith 
and Practice— and may the Lord our God who planteth 
churches — and waters them with the dews of divine grace, 
Bless this little branch, and make it like Joseph's Vine 
that Run over the wall — guard it from the Achers — and 
Protect it from the wild boar of the Desert, and cause that 
its converts may be numerous as the drops of the morn- 



86 Seneca Baptist Association. 

ing dew — and to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
shall be rendered and Ascribed Kingdom, power,Dominion, 
praise and thanksgiving, henceforth and forever, Amen. 

Approved and Signed by order, and in behalf of the 
church of ovid and Hector, this 26th day of April, 1804. 

Phinehas Fullerton, Clerk. 
" CONFESSION OF FAITH AND COVENANT. 

We, a number of Baptist brethren in the towns of 
Ovid and Hector — holding the Doctrine of Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost, Eternal and Personal Election to holiness 
here, and Eternal Life hereafter — the total depravity' of 
all mankind by Adam's Transgression— Redemption by the 
Blood of Christ, and free justefycation by his imputed 
Righteousness, Efficacious and Irresistable Grace in Regen- 
eration — final perseverance of saints in Grace — Water Bap- 
tism by Immersion on a Profession of Repentance toward 
God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ — and the Punish- 
ment of the wicked in as unlimited a sense as the happi- 
ness of the Righteous. 

Do in the Sperit of the Gosple Covenant to walk to- 
gether henceforth in Christian Union — in the bond and 
fellowship of the Gosple — Covenanting with each Other 
that in all things, as far as the Holy Sperit makes plain 
and Ennables us, we will walk according to the Blessed 
word of God the holy Scriptures, both in faith and prac- 
tice — in watching and prayer — in public and private 
worship, and in the order and Discipline of the Church, in 
taking care of the poor, and in maintaining of the Minis- 
try, and in every other thing that shall appear to be duty. 
Praying the Lord to Guide us by Unerring Wisdom — pro- 
tect us by Almighty power, and preserve us by Sovreign 
Grace, to whome be Glory, Amen." 

This " preface " and confession of faith are given in full, 
because they afford a better idea than would any de- 
scription of the doctrines held by the fathers, and of their 



Seneca Baptist Association. 87 

manner of giving expression to those doctrines. The 
original orthography is retained, as bringing more vividly 
before us the days in which these words were written, 
and the customs of the past. It will be seen that the 
writers could use as long sentences as are reputed to be 
those of one of the present Cabinet officers of the U. S., 
that the spelling was unusually good, and that capital 
letters seem to have been used often to indicate emphasis. 

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Bap- 
tists of America — then as the stars in multitude — may be 
interested in reading, in their own words, the views of 
doctrine held by the Baptist pioneers, when churches of 
their faith were few in number, when central New York 
was the western wilderness, when the city of Rochester 
was yet so far in the future that it is doubtful whether 
there was a single white inhabitant within its present 
limits. 

In order to illustrate the fact that the grammar and 
orthography of our ancestors were not the worst in the 
world at that time, I quote from the records of a church 
in the eastern part of the State. ( Vide Minutes of the 
Union Baptist Association for 1866.) The quotation is 
verbatim et literatim : 

" the 13 Fabruwairy 1802 the church Met a Cording To 
a Pint Ment at the Metinhous and open Metin By singin 
an Prayin the church chos a Moderator and Requre after 
the Minds of the Brthein and fond a Mather of peas a 
Mongst them the church a gread To Meat To the Meat- 
inhous for Meatins after this at present and so concluded 
By Prer." 

• HISTORY. 

The Covert Baptist church was constituted February 
1 6, 1803, being known at first as the Baptist church of 
Ovid and Hector. It had twenty-eight constituent mem- 
bers, viz. Minor Thomas, Nancy Thomas, Asaph King, 
Deborah King, Joseph Thomas, Ann Thomas, Garrett 



88 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Easling, Ann Jeffery, Margaret King, Elizabeth Cash, 
Mary A. Coddington, Hannah Freeland, Marcy Wood- 
worth, Silas Potter, Esther Potter, Sarai Walsworth, 
Nathaniel Osgood, Hannah Osgood, Phineas Clark, Ezra 
Keeler, Godfrey Clair, Mrs. Clair, Jas. Drake, Martin 
Peck, Charlotte Clark, Lucy Peck, Hannah Keeler and 
Pe ggy Gray. 

In the council granting recognition, the following 
churches of the Cayuga Association were represented : 
Third Scipio, Seqond Scipio, Milton, First Aurelius, 
Romulus. Elder Thomas Tuttle, of the third church in 
Scipio, was Moderator, Joel Tyler, of Aurelius, Clerk. 
The newly constituted church presented to the council, 
for ordination, their pastor, Minor Thomas. Brother 
Thomas gave a relation of his experience in grace, his 
lead to the ministry, his doctrines and practical senti- 
ments, to the satisfaction of the council. He was then 
ordained, Elder E. Harrington, of the Second Scipio 
church, preaching the sermon, Rev. J. Wisner, of Romu- 
lus, offering the ordaining prayer, Elder David Irish, of 
Aurelius, giving the charge to the candidate. Elder T. 
Tuttle, extending the hand of fellowship, Elder Micajah 
Starr, of Milton, " praying the concluding prayer." 
Thomas Campbell was appointed the first clerk of the 
church, Asaph King and Joseph Thomas, were elected 
Deacons. In June, 1803, the church was represented at 
the session of the Cayuga Association, held at Bailey 
Town. 

In Sept. of this year, a member is excluded for licen- 
tious conduct, " such as associating with and taking part 
with the wicked, and going to dances." Brother John 
King is "tolerated to improve his gift, when and where 
God in his providence shall open a door." Elder Thomas 
is chosen as pastor, April 21, 1804; for compensation he' 
is to depend on the liberality of the church and congre- 
gation. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 89 

Hie apparet Diabolus. Elder Thomas, beginning his 
work as pastor, and showing himself to be an able and 
successful minister, Satan incites his emissaries to bring 
railing accusations against him in order to destroy his in- 
fluence. Elder Thomas asks that the charges be thorough- 
ly investigated, when they were clearly shown to be 
malicious fabrications, and the church wisely took the 
trouble to put on record the evidence which disproves 
them. 

It was voted that a declaration of every excommunica- 
tion shall be made in a public congregation, as soon after 
the person is excommunicated as is possible. 

In 1805, March 9th, the name of the church was changed 
to the Second Baptist church of Ovid. There were fre- 
quent expulsions for the intemperate use of ardent spirits, 
and many cases of private trespass were brought before 
the church for settlement, which should have been ar- 
ranged by the brethren at their homes. -In May, 1805, it 
was voted that private trespasses shall be labored on in a 
private manner, and if they need to be brought before 
the church, it must be according to the gospel rule laid 
down in the eighteenth chapter of St. Matthew, — also 
that when the church acts on questions of discipline, it 
shall be " in as private a manner from the world as pos- 
sible." Committees were appointed to visit brethren who 
neglected church meetings, to admonish them, and to re- 
quire them to render some reason for their neglect of 
duty. 

On the 5th of July, 1806, a council convened, of which 
Micajah Starr was Moderator, and Mahlon Bainbridge, 
Clerk. Brother John King, of the Covert church, preach- 
ed to the council, and was called before them for exam- 
ination. The brethren voted that they believed that 
brother King had experienced a gracious change of heart, 
but with his call to the ministry, and his " knowledge in 
doctrinal ideas," they were not fully satisfied. Cornelius 



go Seneca Baptist Association. 

Handiey, and Joseph Thomas, candidates for ordination 
as deacons, having related their christian experience, and 
being examined concerning points of doctrine, were or„ 
dained as deacons, in the following order r — sermon, by 
Elder John Laseur, ordaining prayer, by Elder J. Wisner, 
laying on of hands, by Elders Laseur, Winans, Starr, 
Wisner and Thomas, charge, by Elder M. Starr, hand of 
fellowship, by Elder Laseur, concluding prayer, by Elder 
Winans. 

The church voted to raise twenty dollars for the ex- 
penses of the table and maintaining the poor, the sum to 
be proportionately levied on each member by the deacons. 
These officers were to collect and expend this money, to 
fender an account to the church, and to retain so much 
as would compensate them for their loss of time. 

The trustees were directed to circulate a subscription 
to raise a support for brother Thomas for his service in 
the ministry, these subscriptions to specify money, grain 
and labor. The word " compensation " is stricken out of 
the minutes in the sentence above where the word sup- 
port is used. Some of the church fathers were careful as> 
to their terminology. They believed that a minister 
should live by the gospel, but not that he should lay up 
anything " for a rainy day." His faith must be so much 
stronger than that of his people that for the education 
of his children, the care he may need in old age, and 
provision for his family, in case he should be laid aside 
by sickness, he must trust to Providence. 

Phinehas Fullerton asking for ordination, a council was 
called to examine him, of which Elder David Irish was 
Moderator, Elder Lemuel Taylor, Clerk. The council 
decided, after an examination of the candidate, that mat- 
ters were not ripe to proceed to ordination at present, 
yet would encourage brother Fullerton to continue in im- 
proving his gift. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 91 

On the eleventh of March. 1807, the church met to 
settle a difficulty respecting brother James Mills, who had 
charged the doctrine of election and the preaching of it 
with damnable heresy. The church labored with brother 
Mills, and taught him more perfectly in the nature of this 
doctrine, when he was convinced of his madness and 
folly, confessed, and was forgiven. At the next covenant 
meeting, when the brothers and sisters were enquired of 
concerning the " travel " of their minds, " there was found 
a comfortable union except in brother Mills, who mani- 
fested a determination of communing with Christians' of 
every denomination." He was soon afterward excluded. 

On the 1st of November, 1807, it was voted that brother 
Barzilla King serve the church as chorister, " to set the 
psalms in our public worship." Brother and sister Wright 
came forward and confessed their wrong in allowing a 
ball at their house. Voted that the evening of our 
covenant meeting day shall be the time of our com- 
munion. 

In 1808, the church proposed to raise one-hundred 
and thirty dollars by equality — one hundred and ten, to 
be paid to Elder Thomas, twenty dollars to be appro- 
priated to the poor and provision for the table. It was 
decided that Elder Thomas' salary should be paid to him 
in farmers' produce at the market price. It was resolved 
that a member should be received or excluded only by 
the unanimous voice of the church. 

In 181 1, Elder E. Kendall became a member of the 
church, and preached occasionally in the absence of Elder 
Thomas. There was soon a division of sentiment as to 
the ability of the two elders, and Elder Kendall was re- 
quested to preach no more. His following was very 
small ; but sister Kendall often comes before the church 
with her " grievance." 

In 18 12, it was resolved to pay Elder Thomas one 
hundred and fifty dollars for his services during the en- 



92 Seneca Baptist Association. 

suing year, but some of the brethren manifested a dis- 
satisfaction that the minister should have a stipulated 
sum, and the act was disannulled. Elder Thomas was 
given leave to go on a short missionary tour. 

A council was finally called to adjust the differences 
between Elder Kendall and the church. The charges 
against Elder Kendall were substantiated. Elder Caton, 
of Romulus, was Moderator, and brought in a report 
censuring the church for taking Elder Ezra Kendall 
under their watch-care without receiving his letter, a pro- 
ceeding highly improper and incompatible with gospel 
order, also censuring the church for allowing private 
meetings to concert measures in the church without con- 
sulting their minister, and the church as a body. 

Here we have a good stalwart council. It visited cen- 
sure upon all parties concerned, Elder Kendall, Elder 
Thomas, and the Covert church. 

Brother Chase grieved the minds of some of his breth- 
ren, by joining the Free Masons without having permis- 
sion from the church, but he promised not to attend the 
lodge very often, so the brethren unanimously expressed 
fellowship with him. 

Early in the year 1815, Elder Thomas reported to the 
church that he was willing to serve them during the com- 
ing year, if they would find means to hire a man to serve 
him, and the church accepted the proposition. Elder 
Thomas was now preaching one-fourth of the time for the 
First church in Ovid. 

In 181 5, the church received abundant spiritual bless- 
ings. Large numbers united by baptism, many relating 
their Christian experience at the water side. 

Elder Thomas had promised the Female Missionary 
Society to go on a missionary journey, and had received 
fifty dollars to pay his expenses, but the church resolved 
to request Elder Thomas not to go on this missionary 
tour, u as we know not how to spare him at present/' 



Seneca Baptist Association. 93 

They voted also to raise two hundred dollars for the ex- 
penses of the year, and appointed Jesse Hall, Samuel 
Almy, Lewis Johnston, William Ward, Joshua Gee, 
Josiah Cleveland, and Chester Coburn as solicitors, each 
to collect his subscriptions, and to receive five per cent 
for his trouble. 

In Oct. 1 8 16, a number of members in the town of 
Ulysses were dismissed to form another church. 

In 1818, Elder Thomas informed the church that he 
could serve them but half the time, and soon afterward 
bade them farewell to resume his pioneer labors in the 
far West. 

A committee was appointed to visit the church in 
Ulysses, and ask them to allow Elder J. Lewis to preach 
one half of the time at Covert. Another colony was dis- 
missed to form a church in Hector. It was voted to es- 
tablish the act of equality in this church, according to 
property and privilege, and Brethren Johnston, Jeremiah 
Rappleye, Wheeler, and Scott, were appointed to take 
an estimate of each member's property, and make out each 
one's proportion of the expenses of the church. On the 
8th of August, the church called Elder James Derthick 
to be their pastor. 

On the fourteenth of November, 1818, the church de- 
cided to allow Elder Derthick to preach one-fourth of the 
time at Farmerville, in accordance with a petition pre- 
sented by brother Samuel Almy. 

On the 24th of Jan. 1819, the church held a meeting at 
the log meeting-house in Ulysses, this edifice being now 
mentioned for the first time in the church records. Elder 
Elon Galusha was present at a meeting held in 18 19, and 
was appointed Moderator. Elder O. C. Comstock was 
invited to preach as a supply when Elder Derthick was 
absent. On the 13th of August, 1819, delegates were 
sent to a council held at the log meeting-house in Ulys- 
ses, for the purpose of constituting a church at that place. 



94 Seneca Baptist Association. 

In October of the same year, a request was received from 
a number of brethren in Rappleye's settlement, ( Farmer- 
ville ) that they might be constituted as a church, " if 
found on gospel ground." At the next meeting, a simi- 
lar request was received from another colony in Hector, 
which was also granted. 

Among those dismissed at this time to form the Farm- 
erville church was Judith Tunison, who is still living, and 
is a member of that church. 

The question coming before the church as to their 
pastor's remaining for another year, the following guard- 
ed but significant opinion is recorded. "All things con- 
sidered, if Providence should open a door, it might possi- 
bly be for his good, and the good of the cause, if he 
should move away." 

At this time Elder Thomas had returned, after at least 
several months absence, and he was invited to preach as 
an occasional supply. On the 9th of Sept. 1820, Breth- 
ren J. P. Woodworth and Minor King, were appointed 
delegates to the Cayuga Association, and were instructed 
to request a dismissal from it, that the church might 
unite with " the Seneca Association, lately formed." 
Brother J. P. Woodworth was invited to " improve part 
of the time at the meeting-house." 

On Sunday, Sept. 2d, 1821, the church appointed J. P. 
Woodworth, Nathan Cole, Daniel Cole, William Stillwell, 
and Lewis Porter, to represent the church at the Seneca 
Association, with authority to unite with that body. 
"On Wednesday, Sept. 5th," the record continues, the 
church united with the Seneca Baptist Association. 

In 1822, Elder Obed Warren was engaged as pastor, 
his salary to be two hundred dollars, " and fire-wood fit 
for the fire." On the 22d of Sept. 1822, Elder Warren 
broke bread to the church, " and the season was solemn 
and comfortable." On the 29th of August, 1823, Elder 
Warren fell asleep, after a short illness. He was sincere- 



Seneca Baptist Association. q$ 

ly mourned. His funeral was attended on Sunday, Aug. 
31st. Elder O. C. Comstock preaching from Psalms, 
73:24, — " Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and 
afterward receive me to glory." 

Elder Aaron Abbott was next engaged as pastor, at a 
salary of two hundred dollars, and twenty-five cords of 
wood. On the 25th of Dec. 1824) the church received 
brother Thomas Simpson Sheardown, and sister Esther 
Sheardown, on relation of their Christian experience, they 
having been members of a Baptist church in England, 
which had lost its visibility. At this time, part of the 
covenant meetings were held at the school-house at Hall's 
Corners. 

In 1826, brother Frost expressed a grief with brother 
Ware for pettifogging. Brother Ware, being called to ac- 
count at a subsequent meeting, " confessed that pleading 
law had been a grief to him, and he did not wonder it 
had grieved his brethren.*' Long ago he had an evidence 
that he had been called to preach,—" he had been disobe- 
dient, — had pleaded law to get rid of preaching the gos- 
pel." At a meeting held some weeks afterward, the 
church, " Resolved, that pettifogging is in our opinion, a 
dangerous calling for a Christian." Soon afterward the 
church passed resolutions in opposition to. Free Masonry, 
and- this action appears to have led to the resignation of 
Elder Abbott, who seems to have claimed the right to 
commune with members of the Masonic order. 

Deacon John Boorom was one member of a committee 
to employ Elder Richard Woolsey, who was promised a 
salary of two hundred and twenty-five dollars. Elder 
Woolsey was obliged to decline the call. Elder P. P. 
Roots served for a time as a supply, then Elder J. C. 
Holt was called to the pastorate. It was voted to " hold 
the fourth of July next in a religious manner, have a 
sermon preached, and take a collection for the coloniza- 
tion society." 



g6 Seneca Baptist Association. 

In 1830, Elder Woolsey again received a call to the 
pastorate, and decided to accept it. A better spirit seems 
to have prevailed, and the Master is with the church to 
revive his work. In November, the church had a happy 
season at a four days' meeting, which for many years was 
remembered with pleasure. 

In Dec. 1832, Silas Gregg, and Chappie Close were ap- 
pointed assistant choristers, " to have the privilege of going 
in the gallery or standing in front of the pulpit, as they 
please." About one hundred and thirty members were 
present at a covenant meeting. 

The question of holding a communion service at the 
annual meeting of the Association was discussed, and the 
church decided that it would be expedient to do so. 

The first six days of the year 1833, were set apart by 
the church for a protracted meeting, in which a number 
of visiting Eiders and brethren participated. Many of 
the brothers and sisters confessed their faults one to an- 
other, and promised to try to live in that way which the 
gospel points out as the Christian's path. There were a 
number of baptisms. Elder Woolsey's salary at this time 
was two hundred dollars. Voted to hold a meeting on 
the first Monday in January, 1835, to pray for the con- 
version of the world. One of the brethren came forward 
and confessed that he had done wrong in attending a 
horse-race. 

In 1836, a brother said that he was not in fellowship 
and could not commune, because of the act of equality, 
" poor brethren had to pay rich ministers, some held to 
supporting Seminaries, Bible Societies, Sunday-Schools, 
etc." The Elder, Deacon Daniel Cole, and brother John 
Boorom, were appointed to labor with him and report. 
The salary was now one hundred and fifty dollars. The 
church offered the brother an opportunity to prove from 
Scripture, that the act of equality was wrong. The 
grieved brother appeared at a special church meeting, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 97 

•and occupied most of the afternoon in stating his views. 
The only text he quoted in support of his position, that 
the act of equality was wrong, was Jeremiah, 6: 1 3. Voted 
unanimously that he answer whether he will pay two 
dollars as his proportion of the pastor's salary. He re- 
fused to answer; said he knew nothing about paying 
ministers except they were poor, he did not owe Elder 
Woolsey anything, he would as lief steal as submit to the 
act, etc. The question was put to the church, " Can you 
walk with him in fellowship under such circumstances?" 
and was answered in the negative, without a dissenting 
voice. 

Brethren John Boorom, Sylvester King, and Anson 
Hopkins were appointed collectors. Elder Woolsey was 
succeeded by Elder Clay, 1837. Mr. Lucius Fenn, was 
appointed chorister. 

Elder John Sears was invited to become pastor, and 
the church decided to raise four hundred dollars for his 
support for one year. The invitation was not accepted, 
and in August, 1838, Elder Alonzo Wadhams became 
pastor, at a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars. He 
was ordained Nov. 21st, by a council, of which Elder S. 
S. Parr, was Moderator, and Elder P. Shedd, Clerk. 
Elders Woolsey, Parr, Shedd, Swick, Wisner, and De- 
Land, took part in the services. A committee was ap. 
pointed to see what would support Brother Wadhams 
next year, and report to the church. 

Feb. 13th, 1 841, the church ''voted to attend meeting 
to-morrow at Farmerville," where Elder Woolsey was 
now pastor, as " there is a great work of the Lord in that 
place." May 8th, 1841, it is voted that Elder Calvin 
Bateman be received as a member and pastor of the 
church : the church and society, by a vote on the Lord's 
day previous, having agreed to give him a comfortable 
living. Three hundred dollars a year was named, but 
some thought that amount would be insufficient. In the 



gS Seneca Baptist Association. 

minutes for December, we find the first record of a dona- 
tion visit to the pastor. It was resolved that " we are 
conscientiously opposed to our meeting-house being 
used for any other purpose than for religious exercises, or 
such meetings as in the opinion of the trustees are de- 
signed for the glory of God." 

Elder Litchfield became pastor in 1 843. The minutes 
soon record a precious revival. We find the first mention 
of a Sunday-School May 10th, 1844. The pastor was ap- 
pointed Superintendent, H. H. Dennison, and Milo V. 
Cole assistants. Elder Sheardown aided the pastor in a 
protracted meeting. The church begins to be troubled 
by that bugbear of so many Baptist churches, " back ar- 
rearages." Rev. Chauncey Wardner became pastor in 

1874. 

On the ninth of January, 1853, the church voted to 
celebrate its fiftieth anniversary with appropriate services. 
Rev. E. Marshall, N. Cole, Amzi Durand, and R. D. 
Hubbard, were appointed a committee of arrangements. 

The celebration was held Feb. 1 5 th and 16th, and these 
were memorable days in the history of the church. On 
Tuesday morning, Feb. 15th, Rev. D. Taylor, gave an 
address on the early history of Baptists in Europe. This 
was followed by a conference, in which a number of the 
aged members of the church participated. In the even- 
ing, Rev. C. L. Bacon, of Trumansburg, gave a sketch 
of the rise and progress of the Baptists in America. 
On Wednesday morning, the pastor, Rev. C. Ward- 
ner, preached from Psalms, LXXVIII, the first six verses. 
In the evening, Father T. S. Sheardown gave an account 
of his pioneer labors in this region, and for nearly two 
hours the audience listened with almost breathless atten- 
tion. The church was filled to overflowing during these 
interesting services. 

In March, Rev. O. Montague assisted the pastor in a 
series of meetings, and a gracious revival followed. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 99 

Rev. C. Wardner resigned Oct. 1, 1853, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Enos Marshall. In i860, Rev. B. F. Bal- 
com assisted the pastor in a protracted meeting, and the 
church received many additions. Elder Marshall preach- 
ed his farewell sermon, April 5th, 1863. He was followed 
by Rev. S. V. Marsh. During the pastorate of Mr. 
Marsh, the church services were unusually well attended, 
and two weekly prayer-meetings were sustained. The 
next year, the church reports thirteen additions by bap- 
tism. Another refreshing followed in 1866. Rev. Wil- 
liam Rees ( better known perhaps as Dr. Rees,) was pastor 
from 1867 to 1 87 1. During his pastorate, congregations 
were unusually large, peace prevailed, and the church en- 
joyed a season of temporal prosperity. The Sunday- 
School, under the superintendence of Deacon T. H. 
King, was well sustained. The house of worship was re- 
paired and in part refurnished. 

Rev. George Hopkins was chosen pastor in July, 1872, 
and was ordained Sept. 18th, the following pastors taking 
part in the services: Rev. Z. Grenell, Jr., of Kingston, 
Rev. C. J. Shrimpton, of Ithaca, Rev. A. W. Mettler, of 
Scott's Corners, Rev. Geo. A. Starkweather, of Trumans- 
burg. Mr. Hopkins continued as pastor for three years, 
enjoying the esteem of all. His labors were blessed to 
the reviving of the work of the Master, and in 1874, the 
church reports fifteen baptisms. He resigned April 
1, 1875. 

Rev. A. C. Mallory began his work as pastor April 
1, 1S76, winning at once the regard of his people, and the 
respect of the community. July Fourth, 1876, was one 
of the days to be remembered in the history of the Covert 
church. Nearly one thousand people assembled to hear 
the notes of the Centennial Bell, rung for the first time, 
upon that national holiday. Hon. Nestor Woodworth 
was President of the assembly. Miss Ella Stillwell recited 
the declaration of independence, Major Orlo Horton read 



ioo Seneca Baptist Association. 

an exceedingly interesting history of the town of Covert 
Rev. Dr. Gregory, Rev'ds. A. C. Mallory, O. H. Seymour* 
L. Halsey, and others gave brief addresses. The skillful 
hands of Covert's fair daughters provided bountiful en- 
tertainment. The bell was quickly raised to its place by 
S. A. Drake, of Farmer Village. Long may its sweet 
tones call Covert's sons to worship. In times of joy 
may it speak to them of the praise due the Giver of all 
blessings ; in times of sorrow, may its melody remind 
them of a world where all is music, and perfect harmony, 
and peace ! 

For the last ten or fifteen years, there has been little 
in the history of the church that needs to be recorded. 
Pastors and people have labored together, usually in full 
accord. The church has enjoyed occasional revivals, as 
will be seen by the statistical tables. The clerk's book 
gives next to nothing that is historical, since the time of 
Elder Marshall. 

The church has lost many of its most faithful members 
by death, and has been weakened by the removal of 
others, but there are Workers and Queens in the old hive 
yet, and although the season for swarming may be over, 
the Master will find faithful laborers in the church in 
Covert, and with honey out of the rock will he satisfy 
them. 

RETROSPECTIVE. 

Virginia is the mother of Presidents, Covert the mother 
of Churches. Among those belonging to the Seneca As- 
sociation, she has at least six daughters and two grand- 
daughters. She was not boastful when she said to the 
churches, at their annual assembly in 1859 : "Asa mother 
welcomes home her returning daughters, so would this 
mother-church welcome you ! " 

The mission-journeys of Elder Thomas, begun as early 
as 1808, extending as far as Dryden and even to the 
regions beyond, resulted in the establishment of numer- 



Seneca Baptist Association. ioi 

ous preaching stations, where the services of a minister 
were eagerly sought after. One of the quarterly meet- 
ings of the church in 1808, was held at the head of Seneca 

Lake to accommodate brethren living in that region. 

In 1809, meetings were held one-half of the time at the 
home church in Thomas' settlement, one-fourth of the 
time at Samuel Hanley's, in Hector, one-fourth of the 
time at Peach Orchard, or other out-stations. This year, 
the first colony was dismissed, calling itself the First 
church in Hector, now Bennettsburg. 

In 1813, a number of brethren in Ulysses were dismiss- 
ed to constitute a church. In 1817, the Second Hector, 
( now Mecklenburg ) was organized by members dismiss- 
ed from Covert for that purpose. The church of Enfield 
was another colony sent out the same year. In 18 18, 
other brethren were given letters that they might estab- 
lish the third church in Hector, which was afterward 
dismissed to join the Chemung River Association. The 
churches in Trumansburg and Farmerville, were consti- 
tuted in 1819. In the same year, Elder Thomas and 
nearly fifty others, received letters to take to Indiana, 
where they organized a new church of Covert's spiritual 
children. In 1820, was constituted the fourth church in 
Hector, afterward known as the Peach Orqhard church. 
The same year another request was granted to brethren 
in Ulysses that they might form a new church ; a colony 
of the Covert church also went to Rushford, Allegany 
Co., and were there constituted as a branch of the old 
church. That branch has since become a strong and 
vigorous tree. Thus, within two years, the old hive sent 
out six strong swarms. No wonder Elder Derthick was 
discouraged. But there was honey in the old hive yet, 
and the workers had not all departed. In 1821, a num- 
ber of the members living in the town of Lodi were dis- 
missed to aid in forming another new church. 



102 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Thus we note twelve churches, most of them still in 
existence, which were constituted wholly, or chiefly of 
members taken from the church in Covert. Writes Elder 
Marshall : 

" She who once sat as a queen and waved her beautiful 
sceptre of ' holiness unto the Lord,' by these changes 
has been weakened in strength and in numbers, and so 
circumscribed in her boundaries, that what Red Jacket, 
the Indian chief, said of his countrymen, the members of 
the Covert church, considering the former extent of their 
territory, and comparing it with their now narrowed 
boundaries, may say of themselves : ' We have scarcely 
room enough to spread our blankets ! ' " 

From a historical sketch of the churches of the Cat- 
taraugus Association, we learn the interesting fact that 
the church at Farmerville, Cattaraugus Co., was a branch 
of the Rushford church. The correspondence of name 
with that of the daughter of Covert, long known as Farm- 
erville church, is too singular to escape notice. 

Judge James McCall, one of the founders of the Rush- 
ford church, was an early settler in the town of Covert, 
Seneca Co., residing near Farmer Village, which was once 
known as " McCall's." He was converted at thirty-eight, 
uniting with the Covert church. He represented Seneca 
Co., in the Assembly in 1809 and 1813, succeeding O. C. 
Comstock. Removing to Rushford, he was elected to 
the bench, the Assembly, and the Senate of this State. 
His first thought seemed to be ever for the church of 
Christ. He was benevolent, public-spirited, and pro- 
verbially the friend of the poor. He was an early life- 
member of the Baptist State Convention, and one of its 
officers. He died at Rushford, in 1856, aged eighty-two 
years. 

It is probable that the first building in the County 
erected for public worship, was a log house which stood 
near the grist mill, (Judge Silas Halsey's) about one 



Seneca Baptist Association. 103 

mile south-west of the present village of Lodi. It seems 
to have been open to all denominations. Among the 
preachers here were Elder Jehiel Wisner, Baptist, and 
Rev. Mr. Clark, Presbyterian. This house was taken 
down early in the nineteenth century. 

In 1807, or 1808, the Baptists put up a small frame 
house about a mile and a quarter west of Lodi. This 
was enclosed but never finished. The first Baptist church 
in the County was built by the Covert church, (then 
Ovid) at Thomas' settlement, three miles north of Tru- 
mansburg. Elder Sheardown thus speaks of this church 
in his autobiography : 

" It was a rare model of architecture for the time. The 
people went into the gallery from out of doors, going in 
at the gable end of the building. The first time I saw 
it, I could not but admire the patch-work. It was not, I 
believe, plastered all over ; only here and there a patch 
put on, and everything else about it appeared to be in 
keeping with what is already named." 
PIONEER PASTORS. 

Minor Thomas, the first pastor of the church in Covert, 
the Pauline apostle of the Seneca Association, was a 
man having peculiar qualifications for just the work given 
him to do. 

His manly form, vigorous health, and commanding 
voice, gave him power with the multitude. His engag- 
ing address, his ready sympathy, and his honest, earnest 
piety, made friends for him wherever he went. Physical- 
ly he was capable of great and long continued exertion, 
and his physical, mental, and spiritual powers seem to 
have been symetrically developed. He spoke with 
pointed earnestness, with frequent gestures, with natural 
and convincing eloquence. 

He was sound in doctrine, as well as able in speech. 
When he was preaching his eyes were usually suffused 
with tears. He could not speak of the crucifixion of our 



io4 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Lord without weeping, and would often be moved to 
tears when listening to the Christian experience of young 
converts. A friend, a venerable man, who, as a lad, used 
to sit by his father at the communion table, tells me that 
when Elder Thomas was administrator the tears would 
often roll down the pastor's cheeks. This gentleman 
testifies that Elder Thomas was a great worker, '? there 
was not a lazy hair in his head ; " he would do almost 
two days' work in one. When not at work for himself, 
he would offer to assist his brother farmers in their la- 
bors, and in the harvest-field, at lunch time, no one could 
tell a story better than he. He was noted for his skill in 
breaking oxen, and always liked to own a " nice yoke of 
steers." During his pastorate, the old church at Covert 
was often filled in summer, while a congregation of several 
hundred gathered around the church. The doors and 
windows were opened, Elder Thomas spoke in loud tones, 
and all were edified. 

We have noted some of the rare qualifications of the 
man who was called of God to traverse this wilderness, to 
preach from lake to lake, and far and near, the gospel of 
the kingdom, and to bury in the likeness of Christ's 
death, hundreds of rejoicing converts. He was a man 
for the times, and few preachers of his day were more 
widely known, more influential, more useful. 

The year 1815, was one ever memorable in the history 
of the Covert church. According to the historical sketch 
of Elder Marshall, fifty-one persons united with the 
church by baptism on New Year's day, and they were 
but the first fruits of the harvest, for, during the year, 
the church received two hundred and twenty-two mem- 
bers by baptism. That year the church reported to the 
Cayuga Association four hundred and eighty members, 
the largest number which had ever been reported to that 
body by any one church. The revival spread in every 
direction where the Covert pastor had preached, and the 



Seneca Baptist Association. 105 

seed then sown soon sprang up to bear fruit in numerous 
new churches. Elder Thomas' field of labor was so broad 
that it seems to have included the territory in which there 
are now ( 1879) at ^ east nme Baptist churches. 

Elder Thomas resigned his pastorate here in 18 18, and 
removed, with a number of the members of the Covert 
church, to Fayette, Co., Indiana. Here he again entered 
upon his labors as a gospel pioneer, ministering to sever- 
al small churches by dividing his time between them, 
fording rivers in order to preach the gospel to the desti- 
tute, and baptising many converts. 

Elder James Derthick, who succeeded Elder Thomas, 
shared the fate of many who are unfortunate enough to 
take the place of an unusually successful pastor or teach- 
er. If such a man is weak, his weakness is reason enough 
for his failure ; if he is a man of strong personality, his 
methods are certain to be different from those of his pre- 
decessor, and are for that reason distrusted, by those 
who have learned to reason on the theory that M the king 
can do no wrong." Elder Derthick seems to have been 
an excellent man and a good pastor, but the church 
thought that no one could fill the place of Elder Thomas; 
besides they were dispirited by the loss of a number of 
their members, who also removed to the West, so at the 
end of one year the relation between pastor and people 
was dissolved. 

Obed Warren was the next pastor, and the church 
thought that they had now found a man worthy to walk 
in the footsteps of their first Shepherd. They were hap- 
pily united, and much strengthened and edified, under his 
ministry, but after about seven months labor he was sud- 
denly stricken down by disease, and the church was again 
left without an under-shepherd. It is said that his last 
words were : " Farewell ! I am pure from the blood of all 
men ; " and that the church long continued to enjoy the 
fruit of his faithful labors. 



io6 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Aaron Abbott was the fourth pastor of the church. He 
was young, hopeful, and energetic, attracted large and at- 
tentive congregations, and his labors were highly appre- 
ciated. 

John C. Holt was pastor during the years 1828-9. His 
labors were marked with the same general success as were 
those of his predecessor. Additions to the church were 
few. 

Richard Woolsey assumed the pastorate in 1830, and 
under his skillful leadership, the church entered upon a 
new era of prosperity. In 1831, nearly one-hundred 
members were received by baptism. Elder Woolsey was 
in some respects like Elder Thomas, a plain-spoken, genial 
man of the people, an interesting speaker and an earnest 
worker. Elder Woolsey having resigned, on account of 
failing health, Elder Bradbury Clay preached for a. few 
months as a supply. 

Alonzo Wadhams was the next pastor of the church. 
He was a licentiate, and was ordained Nov. 21, 1838. 
Mr. Wadhams was a modest, unassuming young man, re* 
spected and loved by the church, and prospered by the 
Master in his labors. 

Calvin Bateman was the next pastor, a man of culti- 
vated mind and devoted spirit, but he was soon obliged 
to resign on account of ill health. He became insane, 
and died at his home in the State of Michigan, in 1852. 

D. W. Litchfield was the successor of the much-afflict- 
ed Bateman. His labors were ardent and persevering, 
and he won the esteem and confidence of his people. 

Chauncey Wardner was the next pastor of the church 
and had a long and successful pastorate. We are told, in 
the sketch by Elder Marshall, that " his agreeable social 
qualities, and his ability as a sermonizer, gave him the 
confidence of the church, and enabled him to influence 
his brethren to arise and build." He was permitted to 



. Seneca Baptist Association. 107 

see a new church edifice completed, dedicated, and con- 
secrated by the conversion of souls. 

E. Marshall was the twelfth pastor of the church, and 
for nine years he was the loved and honored leader of a 
united people. A circular letter written by him, on the 
subject of pastoral changes, is noticed in the condensed 
history of the associational meetings. He resigned May 
ist, 1863, and left not an enemy behind him. Excepting 
that of Elder Thomas, his pastorate was the longest ever 
enjoyed by the church. The later pastors will be briefly 
mentioned in the historical sketches of ministers. 

DEACONS. 

Asaph King and Joseph Thomas, were chosen as the 
first deacons of the church, May 14, 1803, but were not 
ordained. On the 5th of June, 1806, Cornelius Handley 
and Joseph Thomas were ordained as deacons by a coun- 
cil called for that purpose. In 18 12, Barzilla King and 
Samuel Ferris were chosen as candidates for deacons. 
In Dec. 1813, Barzilla King having declined a nomination, 
the church names Samuel Ferris, Lewis Benjamin, J. 
Cleveland and Abraham Hand, as candidates for the 
office, but none of them were ordained. On the 9th of 
Nov. 1817, it was resolved to set apart brethren William 
Ward, Elnathan Winans and Lewis Johnston, to serve 
the church as deacons. In December, the Clerk was di- 
rected to invite neighboring churches to send delegates 
to a council to ordain these brethren, but there is no re- 
cord showing that such a council was held. 

In 1 8 18, it was voted by the church that the monthly 
contributions shall be disposed of by the deacons at their 
discretion, for the relief of the poor. 

Nathan Cole, Daniel Cole and Lewis Porter were 
elected deacons in Sept. 1822, and on the 17th of Oct., 
were ordained by a council, of which Elder O. C. Corn- 
stock, was Moderator, and Elder J. Lewis, Clerk. 



loB Seneca Baptist Association. 

Benjamin Arrowsmith and William Johnston, were 
elected deacons March 9th, 1850. I find no minute of 
their ordination, but the records approve them as faithful 
laborers for the welfare of the church. 

In 1864, Deacons Arrowsmith and Johnston requesting" 
to be relieved, Jared Carle and Tartellus H.King were elect- 
ed to fill the vacant places. These brethren were or- 
dained at a conference held Nov. 12, 1864, of which Rev* 
L. Ransted was Chairman, and Dea. J. L. Bloomer, Clerk. 
Rev'ds. D. Corey, J. B. Smith, F. Dusenbury, I. Child, F. 
D. Fenner, L. Ransted, S. V. Marsh, and S. H. Saylor, 
participated in the services. 

Deacon Daniel Cole died Oct. 12, 1848. Deacon Lewis 
Johnston died July 6th, 1849, aged eighty-two years, nine 
months and twenty-four days. They served their genera- 
tion well. 

Dea. Nathan Cole, died Feb. 10, 1877, at the home of 
his son Milo V. Cole, in the ninety-seventh year of his 
age, having held the office of deacon for more than half a 
century. He had held several civil offices and was one of 
those men who do well at home without noise or parade, 
the important duties devolving upon them as parents, as 
neighbors, as citizens. 

LICENTIATES. 

John King was licensed by the church to preach the 
gospel, Sept. 23, 1803. Other licenses were granted as 
follows: to Phineas Fullerton, Dec. 8, 1804; James Rey- 
nolds, June 11, 1808; J. P. Woodworth, Jan. 13, 1821 ; 
Barzilla King was licensed Jan. 14, 18 14, and was after- 
ward ordained as pastor at Mecklenburg. Thomas Carle 
received a license to preach, April 14, 1866. He pursued 
his studies at Rochester, and had just entered the Theo- 
logical Seminary at Rochester when he died March 8, 
1869; a life of great promise being thus suddenly brought 
to a close. 



.Seneca Baptist Association. 109 

CLERKS. 

The first clerk of the church seems to have been Phin- 
eas Fullerton. Thomas Campbell was elected April 9th, 
1803, but did not serve. Mr. Fullerton held the office until 
June 10th, 1809, and to his full and carefully prepared re- 
ports we are indebted for the preservation of the early- 
history of the church. He was succeeded by Rufus H. 
Clark, who served for two years. Lewis Porter was ap- 
pointed June 13, 181.1. and filled the office to the satisfac- 
tion of the church for twenty years. Walker Glazier was 
clerk from 1832 to 1834, when Lewis Porter was re-ap- 
pointed. 

Deacon Porter was very punctual in attending the 
meetings of the church, and pains-taking in his report of 
the proceedings. A friend informs me that he was " very 
choice " of the church book, usually carrying it wrapped 
in a large silk handkerchief. 

A. P. Wixom was clerk for a short time during the ab- 
sence of Deacon Porter. In 1846, the church appointed 
M. R. Cole, clerk, Deacon Porter having repeatedly ex- 
pressed a wish to resign. Mr. Cole was succeeded by 
George W. Dickerson, in 1850. Mr. Dickerson removing 
from the bounds of the church, R. R. Hubbard was 
chosen as his successor in 1852. James Arrowsmith was 
appointed clerk, Dec. 13, 1856. He was succeeded by 
Edward Mason in 1864. From 1 866 to 1871 the church 
records were sadly neglected, there being only one entry 
between those dates. Rev. George Hopkins acted as 
clerk during his pastorate. Deacon Jared Carle is the 
present clerk. 

In February 1850, A. L. Durand was appointed treas- 
urer and collector. R. R. Hubbard succeeded him in 
1853. In 1857, Amanuel Murphy was chosen as col- 
lector. In 1862, M. V. Cole was elected treasurer, and 
Eli Cole collector. Eli Cole was made treasurer in 1863. 
During several years A. Murphy served the church as 



i io Seneca Baptist Association. 

collector, much to their satisfaction. In 1865, Eli Cole 
was re-elected treasurer, and M. V. Cole collector. Henry- 
Cole was elected treasurer in 1866. 

TRUSTEES. 

At a meeting held March 9, 1805, it was voted that 
brothers Joseph Thomas, Abraham Hand, and Silas Lud- 
low, serve this church and congregation as trustees as the 
law directs. In Aug. 1806, Joseph Thomas, C. Handley, 
and Mr. Woodworth were elected trustees for one year. 
On the 2 1st of Nov. 1807, the church elected as trustees, 
Cornelius Handley and Rufus Clark, in Hector, and Wil- 
liam Winans, Rufus H. Clark, and William Rappleye, in 
Ovid. 

According to the tables in the minutes the church en- 
joyed revivals which resulted in many conversions in 
1815; 1831, 1839-41, 1844-45, 1853, i860. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor, A. C. Mallory ; Deacons, J. Carle, T. H. King; 
Clerk, J. Carle; Treasurer, Arvah H. Cole; Collector. 
Milo V. Cole. Superintendent of Sunday-School, T. H. 
King ; Chorister, Edwin C. King ; Trustees, William B. 
Cole, Chas. Denison, Joseph Watson, Edwin C. King, E. 
S. Leggett. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1803 — 2 — 16, Church constituted. 

1803 — 6, United with Cayuga Association. 

1806, ( circ.) Log meeting-house built in Ulysses. 

18 ro, Second house built in Covert. 

1815, Great revival — Minor Thomas. 

1821 — 9 — 5, United with Seneca Association. 

1823, Meeting-house rebuilt. 

1850 — 1 — 16, Third house dedicated. 

1876 — 7 — I, Centennial Jubilee. 



Bennettsburg. 



On the 15th of Nov. 1809, at the house of Thomas 
Horton, in the town of Hector, near the head of Seneca 
Lake, assembled a little band of believers in Christ, to 
ask recognition as a Baptist church. In the council 
which had convened in answer to their call, were repre- 
sented the churches:— Chemung, Romulus, Reading, 
First Ovid, Second Ovid, Bath, Elmira, Wayne. Elder 
Roswell Goff, was chosen Moderator, Cornelius Handley, 
Clerk. The council made inquiry concerning the " lead- 
ing gifts " of the petitioning members, and voted them 
fellowship. Elder Goff gave the address of recognition, 
Elder Amos Eaglestone, the charge. The name of this 
new body was the First Baptist church of Christ in Hec- 
tor and Catherine. No list of the constituent members 
has been discovered. The first covenant meeting was 
held in the school-house near Bro. Bennett's ; the second, 
at Sister Peck's, near Peach Orchard; the third, at Thomas 
Horton's, near Watkins. At these three places the 
monthly meetings were held alternately. On the 10th of 
March, 18 10, James Reynolds was given license to im- 
prove his gifts. At a covenant meeting held Oct. 6th, 
1810, delegates were appointed to attend the Chemung 
Association, and to present the petition of the church for 
membership. They were also instructed to request the 
Association to ordain James Reynolds to the gospel min- 
istry. The Association met at Burlington, Nov. 9th, 1810, 
and, resolving itself into a council, proceeded to the ex a 
amination of Brother Reynolds. The only objection to 
ordination seemed to be that the candidate was a Free 
Mason. He was required to renounce the institution " as 



ii2 Seneca Baptist Association. 

far as the thing would admit," and was then ordained. 
Elder John Caton gave the sermon, Elder Goff, the 
charge, Elder Eggleston, the hand of fellowship, Elder 
Thomas Smiley offered the ordaining prayer. Elder Abra- 
ham Griffith signed the certificate of ordination with the 
ministers named above. 

Covenant of the First Baptist church of Hector and 
Catherine. Adopted Nov. 15, 1809, at the house of Thomas 
Horton, near the head of Seneca Lake. 

"We covenant and agree to keep the secrets of the 
church, to fill our places at her meetings as appointment 
may require, to attend to the Sabbath as the Lord's day, 
avoiding other concerns, and not forsake the assembling 
ourselves together. If difficulties appear, endeavor to 
meet them in the spirit and meekness of the gospel, at- 
tending to them according to the direction given us by 
our Lord, in Matthew 18:15-16, not to make it public to 
the world or church if it can be avoided, to defray ne- 
cessary expenses for the support of the gospel cheerfully 
as our ability will permit, a part of which is in support of 
our minister, and to keep our seats at her communion 
table." 

From this time, Elder Reynolds seems to have preach- 
ed to the church regularly. In Feb. 18 13, the church 
"agreed to come to a plan to try to hire a laboring man 
the ensuing year for the Elder." In May, 181 3, the 
church appointed S. D. Hubbell and James Mitchell to 
serve as deacons, "on tryall." A meeting called at 
Thomas Horton's was to begin on Friday " at sun an 
hour high, at night." In 1814, after consideration, the 
church concluded that they had nothing for deaconsto 
do, and so voted to discharge those officers. Some two 
months later this action was reconsidered, and the dea- 
cons were restored to their former standing. Jonathan 
Hoyt was licensed Jan. 13, 1815. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 113 

Isaiah Butler was licensed in July, 1816. On the 4th 
of Dec. 1 8 16, Daniel A. Balcom was ordained by a coun- 
cil called by this church. Elder Roswell Goff was Mod- 
erator, S. D. Hubbell, Clerk. Elder Minor Thomas was 
one of the delegates, and offered the ordaining prayer. 
Elder Goff preached the sermon. In 1818, Elder House 
served the church for a time as pastor. About this time 
Elder Reynolds removed to the West, but returned the 
same year. During his absence Elder O. C. Comstock 
and Elder J. Sturdevant preached to the church, each 
once a month. On his return Elder Reynolds resumed 
the pastorate. He was again absent in 1820, when Elder 
Booth was pastor for one year. . 

Delegates were appointed to attend the Chemung As- 
sociation at Smithfield, in 1824, and were instructed to ask 
a dismissal in order to unite with the Seneca Association. 
In 1 83 1, Eli Garrison was elected deacon, and was given 
license to preach. The trustees were instructed to meet 
on Saturday, at candle-light, at N. Reynold's store. 

On the 10th of Aug. 1833, Elder James Reynolds was 
honorably discharged from the pastoral care of the church, 
and was succeeded by Elder S. W. Ford, who remained 
for one year. During this year the church received thir- 
teen members by baptism, among them Andrew Miller, 
afterward deacon. In 1834, Deacons Eli Garrison, Wil- 
liam Kimble, and David Lacock, resigned as Deacons, 
and were succeeded by Andrew Miller, and Phineas Ben- 
nett. W. Kimble and D. Lacock received a vote of 
thanks from the church for long and honorable service. 
Previous to this time, members of the church residing in 
the town of Catherine had withdrawn to constitute a new 
church, and as early as 181 3, the name of the old church 
was changed to First Hector. In 1827 or 28, there settled 
in the neighborhood Phineas Bennett, a man of enter- 
prise and of mechanical skill, who was soon the owner of 
three mills and a number of dwelling houses, these con- 



1*4 Seneca Baptist Association. 

stituting the hamlet which received his name. He sub- 
scribed liberally toward the building of the first meeting- 
house which Was completed in 1830, at a cost of $1,400, 
Elder John Sears, of Ithaca, preached the dedication 
sermon. In Feb. 1 835, a council was called to examine 
Eli Garrison, and to set him apart for the ministry if sat- 
isfied. Thomas Dowling, of Trumansburg, Was Modera- 
tor, U. B. Miller, of Farmerville, Clerk. The council 
was satisfied with the christian experience of the brother, 
but thought best to postpone ordination. B. R. Swick 
became pastor May 0th, 1&35, and was ordained on 
Thursday, Oct. 1, by a council of which U. B. Miller was 
Moderator, and R. G. Lewis, Clerk. Elder Dowling 
preached the sermon, Elder Woolsey offered the ordain- 
ing prayer. 

Now comes a sorrowful period in the history of the 
church at Bennettville. The Baptist Bourbons were 
violently opposed to temperance organizations, Sun- 
day-Schools, and Missionary societies. They separat- 
ed themselves from their brethren, and assumed to be 
the church. Two opposing parties, and two rival minis^ 
ters came to the place of worship one Lord's day morn- 
ing. One minister demanded the right to hold services. 
The trustees answered him that any further disturbance 
would subject him to the penalty of the law. He im- 
mediately withdrew with his party who called themselves 
old school Baptists. 

The church became weakened and disheartened, when 
unexpectedly the work of the Lord was revived and they 
were visited with gracious showers of blessing. So many 
were the additions that the church was stronger in mem- 
bers than at any preceding period. 

Elder Swick resigned in Dec. 183S, and was succeed- 
ed by that good man, R. G. Lewis, who was pastor for 
one year. Deacon Andrew Miller was excused from 
duty as treasurer at his own request. Elder Elias J, 



Seneca Baptist Association. i i 5 

Wood served the church for a time as a supply. Henry 
J. Hall was pastor for one year, then Elder Sheardown 
preached as stated supply for six months. The church 
enjoyed and highly appreciated the labors of this devoted 
minister, who visited them frequently on his journeys as 
an evangelist. 

Benjamin Warren became pastor in 1842, and remained 
for three years. During his pastorate the house of wor- 
ship was repaired and enlarged. He resigned in April, 
1845, an d was followed by J. B. Rogers. J. H. Morrison 
began work as pastor July 5, 1846, and was one of Ben- 
nettsburg's most popular ministers. About this time, if the 
church had any special work to be done, one of two com- 
mittees was usually appointed to do it. The first con- 
sisted of Dea. Miller and Dea. Vaughn, the second of 
Dea. Vaughn and Dea. Miller. 

Rev. T. R. Clark was pastor for two years. He was 
succeeded by Rev. O. W. Gibbs, whose self-denying la- 
bors extended over a period of nine years. 

In 185 1, Sept. 13, the name Baptist church of Bennetts- 
burg was adopted. From 1852, for twenty years, the re- 
cords of the church were neglected. 

Rev. William Dunbar was pastor for two years 1860- 
61, and was ordained here, Rev. Geo. W. Eaton, L. L. D., 
of Madison University, preaching the ordination sermon. 
He was succeeded, in 1862, by Rev. William Sharpe. He 
resigned April 12, 1873, after a prosperous pastorate of 
eleven years. Rev. T. F. Smith, called from Cochecton, 
N. Y., became pastor July 1, 1873. He was followed 
Aug. 1, 1876, by Rev. Francis Purvis, of Rutland. Both 
left behind them a good record. 

A. D. Clark, the present pastor, began his work here in 
June, 1878. Since that time he has been permitted to 
baptize fifteen converts. The meeting-house is valued at 
$3,400. parsonage at $600. A baptistery was built last 
winter. The church is united, progressive and hopeful. 



n6 Seneca Baptist Association. 

This church has given to the Association, the Millers 
and the Sacketts, men and women remarkable as church- 
workers. 

Deacon Andrew Miller has seen active service and has 
been an able counselor at Bennettsburg, at Lodi, and at 
Farmer Village, and his four sons are efficient officers and 
burden bearers in the churches. Thomas, is trustee and 
S. S., teacher, and Ford L., is deacon, in the church at 
North Hector. James V., is clerk of the church in Ben- 
nettsburg, and Warren L., is the excellent chorister of the 
Farmer Village church. 

The Sackett family is also known in the diaconate. 
Solon P. Sackett, M. D., is deacon at Ithaca. John C, is 
deacon at Bennettsburg; Mary E., married deacon An- 
drew Miller; Roxanna was the wife of Dea. Leroy Becker; 
Buel S., is deacon at Havana. Philo W. Sackett, son of 
Dea. S. W. Sackett, died after a. short illness, at Hamil- 
ton, May 22d, 1871, aged twenty-one years. He had 
spent nearly six years in Colgate Academy and the 
University, and was about to graduate in the class of 
1871, with the highest honors. Modest and unassuming, 
he was a deep thinker and a brilliant scholar. His class- 
mates mourned for him as for a brother, his instructors 
loved him as a son. His was a bright, pure, Christian 

life. 

OFFICERS. 

S. D. Hubbell and James Mitchell were chosen dea- 
cons May, 1813. William Kimball was elected in March, 
1 8 16, Eli Garrison, Nov. 1831. In 1834, Eli Garrison, W. 
Kimball, and D. Lacock, at their request, were honorably 
dismissed from office, and Andrew Miller and Phineas 
Bennett were chosen in their stead. In 1835, Phineas 
Bennett having removed from the bounds of the church, 
resigned as deacon, clerk, and trustee. Daniel V. Owen 
was elected deacon at this time. Ira Reynolds was 
elected Nov. 7, 1835, William Vaughn and George Becker 



Seneca Baptist Association. 117 

in 1839. J- C. Sackett, Feb. 13, 1847. Andrew Morris, 
and S. B. Sackett. Sept. 20, 1876. 

A council for the ordination of deacons was held Oct. 
31, 1876, Rev. Thomas G. Wright, of Watkins, preach- 
ing, Rev'ds. F. Purvis, and A. D. Abbott, participating in 
the services. William Vaughn, J. C. Sackett, Andrew 
Morris, and Seneca B. Sackett were ordained. There is 
no record of the election of Dea. Lacock. 

At first the clerk was elected to serve only during the 
day of his election. Jared Hoyt served for several 
months. Asher Wickham, John Wickham, Benjamin 
Burroughs, and Solomon Broderick also held the office. 
Israel Lee was elected in 182 1, Cyrus Dolph in 1828. 
His minutes usually state that the church meetings were 
opened regularly, in due form. Daniel M. Horton was 
elected Feb. 12, 1831, Eli Garrison, Aug. 11, 1832. He 
was succeeded by Phineas Bennett in 1833. D. V. Owen 
was elected July 11, 1835, Ira Reynolds in Dec, of the 
same year. John Swick, Jr., in 1837. S. W. Sackett, 
April, 1846. Seneca B. Sackett, April 13, 1872, Jas. V. 
Miller, Sept. 2d, 1876. 

S. D. Hubbell, James Mitchell, and William Kimball 
were chosen trustees, June 12, 181 3. In 1 818, W. Kim- 
ball, H. Bacon and I. Lee were elected trustees. In 
June, 1827, the church chose as trustees to build a meet- 
ing-house : John Foot, Abraham Brink, W. Kimball, 
Henry Ayers, A. J. Brown, Samuel Clark, William 
Vaughn. At a meeting in June, 1830, Phineas Bennett 
and George Reynolds were chosen trustees. Eli Mason 
and Hiram Mason were elected in 1831, Mowbray Owen in 
1833, Jas. Reynolds in 1834, I. C. Horton in 1835, W. 
Kimball, R. M. Graham, and Ira Reynolds, in 1837-40, 
William Vaughn, in 1838-44-48-50, Philo Sackett, 1842- 
45, Andrew Miller in 1843, W. Vaughn in 1844-48-50, 
Ephraim Morris, 1849-52, E. Wickham, 1873-76, Buel S. 



n8 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Sackett, 1873, Isaac Morris, 1873-75, J. V. Miller, 1875. 
S. B. Sackett, 1877. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor, A. D. Clark; Deacons, William Vaughn, John 
C. Sackett, Seneca B. Sackett, Andrew Morris ; Clerk, 
Jas. V. Miller; Treasurer, I. Morris; Trustees, Isaac 
Morris, S. B. Sackett, Erastus Wickham ; S. S. Superin- 
tendent, J. C. Sackett ; Assistant, A. D. Clark ; Secretary, 
Jay Fish ; Librarian, Monroe Dunham. 

A Cemetery Association was formed Sept. 1878, and a 
fine lot purchased for a burial ground. 

The Woman's Baptist Missionary Society has twenty- 
three ^members. Officers : Mrs. A. D. Clark, President ; 
Mrs. H. Smith, Vice-President ; Mrs. J. Morris, Treasurer ; 
Miss Grace Sackett, Secretary. 

The minutes note extensive revivals in 1830, 1838, 1869. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1809 — 11 — 15, . . Church in Hector and Catherine constituted. 

1813, Name changed to First Hector. 

1814, .Deacons discharged and restored. 

1824, United with Seneca Association. 

1827, Arrival of Phineas Bennett. 

1830, First meeting-house built. 

1835, Rupture: New School and Old School. 

J843, Meeting-house repaired. 

1851 — 9—13, Name changed to Bennettsburg. 

1870,. Meeting-house repaired. 



Caroline. 



The First Baptist church of Caroline was constituted 
in 1 8 14, with fourteen members. 

The first pastor was Benjamin Oviatt. He was sue* 
ceeded by William Powers, John Sawyer, (in 18 19) 
Samuel W. Ford, Aaron Abbott, and Pliny Sabin, who 
all officiated before 1834. William Spaulding became 
pastor in 1834, and, with the exception of one year, 1853^ 
4, ( when Rev. Thomas Theal was pastor ad interim^ he 
held the office until in 1862. Granville Gates was pastor 
from 1862 to 1866; Minor Perry, 1866-68; A. B. Wood- 
worth. 1868-73; A. P. Merrill, 1874-75; A. B. Chase, 
1875-76. George Brown, the present pastor, began his 
labors with this people in 1877. 

The church seems to have enjoyed peace and prosperi- 
ty from its organization up to 1839, when a rupture oc- 
curred on account of differences of opinion in regard to 
the doctrines and practices of the church. The two par- 
ties called themselves respectively " New School,'* and 
" Old School." The old school held to " particular atone- 
ment, ".and were opposed to missions and benevolent 
organizations, The pastor, Elder Spaulding, and the 
other portion of the church, declared for " general atone- 
ment," and in favor of benevolent and missionary socie- 
ties. A large minority seceded, and organized a church 
known as the old* school Baptist church Gf Caroline. 
They built a church edifice in 1843. Their present pas- 
tor is Elder Kinner Hollister. Trustees, Jacob Lane, 



120 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Geo. E.Stevens, Chas. Bogardus; number of members 
thirty-two. They claimed to be the original church, and 
that the other body, adopting modern views of doctrine, 
had left them. Both parties called councils, from sister 
churches known to favor their respective views, and each 
was sustained by its own councils. 

The patriarch of the Caroline Baptist church was Wil- 
liam Spaulding, who was its pastor for twenty-six years. 
He resigned, on account of failing health, in 1862, but re- 
tained his membership until his death, in 1877. For 
more than fifty years he was known among the churches 
as a faithful minister, and he died in the triumphs of 
faith. When the Seneca Association met here in 1876, 
he was able to take part in its deliberations, and dismiss- 
ed its messengers with the apostolic benediction. 

The first meeting-house was built 1847, an d was re- 
placed by the present comfortable house in 1863. Dedi- 
catory services were held Jan. 1 1, 1864, Rev. G. Gates, 
the pastor, preaching the sermon. The new building 
cost $2500, and is estimated as worth $3000. The church 
has a pleasant parsonage, valued at $1,500. 

In 1S19, the church, then numbering forty-two mem- 
bers, united with the Chemung Association. It joined 
the Seneca Association in 1873. 

According to the church records, Elder Spaulding, 
after the date of the division, baptised fifty persons ; G. 
Gates, twenty-two ; M. Perry, four ; A. B. Woodworth, 
twenty-five ; A. B. Chase, eighteen ; Geo. Brown, twenty- 
one. 

The following brethren have served as deacons : Isaac 
Hollister, Charles Cooper, A. Howland, Luther Heath, 
Benjamin Valk. v " 

The church has had but three clerks since its organiza- 
tion. Isaac Hollister served for twenty-four years, when 
he was succeeded by Hiram Cooper, who held the office 
for forty years. Reuben Merrill is the present clerk. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 121 

officers. 
Pastor, George Brown ; Deacons, B. M. Valk, Luther 
Heath; Clerk, Reuben Merrill; S. S., officers: Superin- 
tendent, B. M. Valk; Secretary, R. Merrill; Organist, 
Ella Cooper; Trustees, John A. D. Cooper, Wm. Vorhis, 
S. J. Pettigrove, Wm. Vandemark, A. Seeley, Ira Bogar- 
dus. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1814 Church constituted. 

1819, United with Chemung Association. 

1839, Rupture : New School vs. Old School. 

1848, First meeting-house built. 

1864 — 1 — 11, Second house dedicated. 

1873—10 — 8, United with Seneca Association. 



Enfield, 



Oil the 5th of April, 1817, a meeting of Baptist bfeth* 
fen was held at the house of Judah Baker, in Ulysses, 
( now Enfield.) Elder John Lewis was chosen Modera^ 
tor, Chester Coburn, clerk. Other meetings were held 
May 3d, and May 17th. A council met July 2, 1817, at 
the house of Elder Lewis. The churches of Ovid, Gen^ 
eva, and Hector were represented, the first by Elders 
Thomas, Sturdevartt, and several brethren. Eldef Starr, 
of Geneva, was Moderator, C. Coburn, clerk. After the 
council had examined the letters and articles of faith 
presented by the brethren, it Was Voted to fellowship the 
following named persons as the First Baptist church in 
Ulysses ; 

Elder John Lewis, Isaac Beach, Chester Coburn, Jona- 
than Rolfe, John Hanfofd, Obadiah Baker, Steph. Mead, 
Israel Mead, Foster Updike, William Boughton, Susan^ 
nah Lovell, Jerusha Burgess, Polly Hanford, Eliza Co^ 
burn, Nancy Updike, Hila Cuykendall, Oily Burgess, 
Rachel Osburn, Sally Burgess, Sally Putnlan, Mary Cuy- 
kendall, Adda Sage, Lucinda Lewis, -Betsey Beach, Anna 
Boughton, Sarah Lyon. 

The church held its first covenant meeting, July 5, 18 \y i 
and voted to receive the twelfth chapter of the Epistle to 
the Romans as its church covenant. Chester Coburn was 
elected clerk, and John Lewis was invited to become 
pastor. It was resolved, " that if any of the members 
fail to attend the covenant meetings, they shall be dealt 
with as transgressors.'' The church met for the com-' 
munion service once in three months, and in covenant 
meeting the first Saturday in each month. A meeting 



Seneca Baptist Association. 123 

was held Aug. 6th, at the house of Jonathan Rolfe, when 
Isaac Beach and Chester Coburn were elected deacons. 

Many important items of historical interest are entire- 
ly omitted in the church records. It is even contrary -to 
rule to find a notice of the time when a pastor begins or 
ends his term of service. 

Elder Job Leach is said to have labored faithfully for 
two years. He afterward removed to Pennsylvania, 
where he died. Elder J. P. Woodworth was for nearly 
nine years an earnest worker in this field. Elder J. F. 
Stark preached with zeal and earnestness, and was not 
without his reward. Elder F. Dusenberry seems to have 
won the confidence and regard of all his people. The 
last pastor, Rev. A. D. Abbott, has labored earnestly to 
obtain a church bell and to secure and fit up the pleasant 
parsonage. It is unfortunate that the records of the 
church are so imperfect, and it is still more to be regret- 
ted that many of the pastorates were so short that they 
seemed to yield no results deserving of record. 

During part of the year 1872, the pulpit was very ac- 
ceptably supplied by Henry Talmadge, a graduate of 
Cornell University. Before the church settled its last 
pastor, Deacon Munson Potter, licentiate, supplied the 
desk to the general satisfaction of the congregation. 

While there is no record of the contributions of the 
church, yet it has always been in sympathy with the be- 
nevolent societies of our denomination, and from time to 
time has contributed to them. 

The church united with the Cayuga Association in 
1817, with the Seneca, in 1824. The name of the church 
was changed, May 5, 1830, to the Baptist church in En- 
field. 

A meeting-house was built about 1840, at a cost of 
$1300. It has been once repaired, and is valued at $3000. 
A bell was hung in the belfry in April, 1870, and was the 



t24 Seneca Baptist Association. 

first church bell in the town of Enfield. The parsonage 
was erected in 1877, at an expense of about $1500, and is 
one of the pleasantest homes in the township. 

OFFICERS. 

The following list includes first, pastors with date of 
settlement, second, licentiates with date of license, third, 
deacons with date of election, fourth, clerks with date of 
first election. 

Pastors: John Lewis, 1817 ; Chester Coburn, 1 820; John 
Bloomer, 1823 ; Jonathan P. Woodworth, 1828 ; J. F.Stark, 
1836; J. Leach, 1840; J. J. Fuller, 1842; A. Lawton, 
1843; J j F. Stark, second settlement, 1844: C. Nelson, 
1847 5 John Gray, 185 1 J S. S. Tucker, 1852 ; Wm. Ever- 
ett, 1853; Moses Arkills, 1859; D - C - Marshall, 1864; S< 
A. Beaman, 1870; Enos Perry, 1872; F. Dusenberry, 
1874; A. D. Abbott, 1877. 

Licentiates J Chester Coburn, Aug. 7, 1819; Solon P, 
Sackett, Dec. 10, 1853 ; S. A. Beaman, June 12, 1870 ; Wil- 
liam E. Gould, March 9, 1872 ; Peter Wicks, Aug. 19, 1873 ; 
Munson Potter, March 29, 1874. 

Deacons 2 Chester Coburn, 1 8 1 7 \ Isaac Beach, 1 8 1 7 ; Ste- 
phen Mead, 1820; Joel Bassett, 18305 Reuben Rolfe, 1836; 
Stephen Gould, 1844; Abraham Zerphas, 1844; Harry 
Wilcox, 1852;. Amos V, Lanning, 1862; Munsort Potter, 
I864; J. M. Lanning, 1873; Minor T. Rolfe, 1878; Chas, 
J. Whitney, 1878. 

Clerks: Chester Coburn, 1817; John Hanford, 181S \ 
James Tracy, 18 19 ; Daniel Denton, 1824 ; Chas. Wood ward, 
1830; B. V. Gould, 1836; A. Zerphas, 18375 W. H, 
Bradley, 1841 ; S. P. Sackett, 1843 5 D. L. Cooper, 1844 J 
H. S. B. Ackley, 1844; H. Rockwell, 1S49: T. Wallen- 
back, 1857; J. W r allenback, I86i , A. V. Lanning, 1862; 
O. Dearborn, 1867; Frank Aiken, 1875; W, E. Gould, 
1876; J. C. Haworth, 1878, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



12! 



PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Deacons, Reuben Rolfe, Amos Lanning, Munson 

Potter, Chas. J. Whitney, Minor T. Rolfe. Clerk, J. C. 

Haworth. Trustees, Ezra Rolfe, Harrison Lanning, 

Minor T. Rolfe, S» S. Superintendent, C J. Whitney. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1817 — 4 — 5 . Conference formed. 

1817 — 7 — 2, . . v* , . First Ulysses church constituted, 

1817, United with Cayuga Association. 

1821 — 5—5, Name changed to Enfield. 

1824, . . . , United with Seneca Association. 

1842, Meeting-house built. 

1877, Parsonage built. 

1878 Bell hung. 




FARMER VILLAGE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

REV. LEWIS HALSEY, PASTOR. 
[Engraved for this Work, from Photo., by W. B. Mundy.] 



Parmer VilLaGS 



On the eighteenth of October, 1819, thirty-eight fiap s 
tist brethren in the town of Covert, met at the house of 
Wilftam Rappleye, and resolved to apply for recognition 
as a church. Elder John Lewis was Moderator, Elder 
W. W. Powers, clerk. A council convened at the school* 
house in Farmerville, Nov. 22, 18 19, Elder Jonathan 
Sturdevant was Moderator, Elder Wi W» Powers^ clerk* 
The following churches Were represented: First Ulysses, 
Second Ulysses, Second Hector, First Covert, First Ovid, 
Virgil. The delegates of First Covert were, — Elder 
James Derthick, Nathan Cole, John Boorom, J* P. Wood- 
worth, Silas Gregg, Daniel Cole, Lewis Porter, Nathan 
Hall, Ira Scott. Among the delegates from First Ovid 
were, Abram Bloomer and Gideon Scott. The members 
of the conference were recognized as a church ; the Mod^ 
erator gave the hand of fellowship, and Elder Philander 
Kelsey preached. The names of the constituent mem- 
bers were: Elder John Lewis, Abraham Hand, Elnathan 
Winans, Jesse Dennison, Sylvenus Snell, William Rap* 
pleye, Samuel Ferris, Nicholas Rappleye, John Fisher, 
Samuel Almy, Lewis Johnston, Burgun Covert, Jeremiah 
Rappleye, Jeremiah Spalding, John Clark, Phoebe Den^ 
nison, Abigail Trowbridge, Margaret Smock, Harriet 
Johnston, Abigail Hand, Lydia Hall, Jane Churchward, 
Charity Swick, Mercy Winans, Phoebe Stout, Abigail 
Snell, Ann Covert, Jane Almy, Lana Rappleye, Lydia 
Brown, Phoebe Ferris, Elizabeth Hoagland, Abigail 
Spalding, Eleanor DeLong, Polly Johnston, Sally Kem 
nedy) Catherine Covert, Isabella Kennedy, 



128 Seneca Baptist Association. 

The first covenant meeting of "the Union Baptist church 
of Christ," at Farmer Village, was held Nov. 27, 1819, 
when the organization was completed by electing Jere- 
miah Rappleye, clerk, and Elnathan Winans and Lewis 
Johnston deacons. It was voted that if brother or sister 
had aught against another, it must not be brought before 
the church until gospel steps had been taken, and not 
then unless it could be substantiated by testimony. 

At a meeting held Jan. 6th, 1820, Elder Minor Thomas 
being Moderator, Elder John Lewis was engaged to 
preach statedly for one year, his salary to be one hundred 
and fifty dollars, all to be paid in produce. Evidently 
the ministers in those former days either labored with 
their own hands to supply their necessities, or else were 
clothed by charity. The wheat paid was to be reckoned 
at six shillings per bushel, the corn at four shillings per 
bushel. Brethren Jeremiah Rappleye, Samuel Almy, and 
Lewis Johnston, were appointed a committee to take an 
estimate of the brethren's property. 

On the third of January, 1820, the church met for 
covenant meeting at brother Peter Rappleye's barn. In 
May of this year, a committee was appointed to meet 
sister churches in conference at Thomas' settlement, to 
inquire into the expediency of forming an association of 
the churches between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. 

In 1823, Jeremiah Rappleye was elected chorister, and 
according to the recollection of a member of the con- 
gregation, it was his custom to " line" the hymns as they 
were sung. 

On the 2d of August, 1823, a special church meeting 
was called for the purpose of inquiring into differences 
between brethren. This was the beginning of sorrows. 
It was claimed that some of the brethren were using im- 
proper means to put Elder Cooper in place of Elder 
Lewis. The first meeting struck the key note of many 
which were to follow. The whole difficulty was " arnica- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 129 

bly settled," and again, according to the next entry in 
the minutes, was all unsettled. 

At first, the matters in dispute were to be referred to a 
committee, consisting of Elders O. C. Comstock, O. War- 
ren, and C. Coburn ; but Elder Warren died before the 
committee could hold a meeting. A council of four 
churches was called by the pastor. Some of the aggriev- 
ed brethren refused to recognize the authority of this 
council. When the church met in covenant meeting, a 
" general declension " was complained of. Another coun- 
cil met Oct. 22d, 1823. Among the delegates were Elder 
John Caton, of Romulus, and Deacon Allen Pease, of the 
First Ulysses church, the latter still ( 1879 ) m the en J°y- 
ment of vigorous health. The council cautioned the 
church against jealousy, bitterness, and strife. This • 
council was called to bring the difficulty to a " final end," 
but at the next church meeting, by a majority vote, the 
whole matter was re-opened. At the succeeding meeting 
the church, after humble confession, " voted unanimous- 
ly, and by voluntary consent and agreement, that all 
former difficulties are this day amicably settled to the 
satisfaction of the whole." 

Elder Lewis resigned March 6th, 1824. A committee 
reported that there was a possibility of their being able 
to secure the services of Elder O. C. Comstock, to preach 
every other Sabbath, and that in their opinion "it will be 
for the happiness and prosperity of the church to get the 
said O. C. Comstock." Unhappily for the church, the 
services of Elder Comstock could not be secured, although 
he preached for a short time as a supply. In 1824, Ed- 
ward Hodge, a licentiate from Hamilton, was chosen 
pastor. The church needed an experienced leader. Some 
of the brethren objected to the " act of equality," which 
had been passed by the church. The record soon shows 
us the church sick with the " old complaint," (sic) as the 
clerk expresses it, which had troubled her7sorely in the 



130 Seneca Baptist Association. 

days of Elder Lewis ; but the brother who called up the 
matter said he would not complain to the church, but to 
the Lord. It was voted to refer the matter to a commit- 
tee of ministers, their judgment to be a " final and con- 
clusive end of the difficulty.'' Then followed " confusion 
worse confounded." The church was divided into two 
parties, each claiming to be the only true church. Each 
excluded the members of the other. The natural results 
of disputed authority followed. One brother refused to 
deliver the church book, and the deacons of the other 
party were directed to prosecute him. Later in the his- 
tory of the church, one of the brethren thought himself 
justified in refusing to give up the key of the meeting- 
house. 

Rev. S. W. Ford became pastor July I, 1826. One 
brother was called upon to state his reasons for not walk- 
ing with the church. He began, and continued, and "the 
day being spent, the meeting closed with prayer. Let- 
ters were granted to members who wished to constitute a 
church at Scott's Corners. " There appeared to be a con- 
siderable solemnity on the minds of some of the breth- 
ren." A persistent but unsuccessful attempt was made 
to secure the services of Elder Aaron Abbott. A special 
church meeting was called, " to set in order things that 
are wanting." At that meeting, on a test vote, eight 
sisters and one brother voted aye, and eight brothers 
voted nay. So another council was called, the list of 
churches beginning with, — "First Appletown church, in 
Romulus." At the next meeting, the celebrated Elder 
Peter P. Roots was Moderator. It was voted that the 
sisters have not an equal right with the male members to 
vote in matters of discipline. Then followed division, 
mutual exclusions and recriminations. As the account 
proceeds, we read of the " darkness of the times," of the 
" darkness which rested on the minds of the brethren," of 



Seneca Baptist Association. 13* 

the " prevailing darkness," and of a " general coldness." 
The flame of sacred love seems to have been almost ex- 
tinguished. Council after council had been called, but 
the end was not yet. Another council met in August, 
T828, of which Elder Aaron Abbott was Moderator, and 
Elder E. Hodge, clerk. The council dispersed, after ad- 
vising the Farmerville brethren never to call for them 
again on this business, as it was beyond their power to 
assist them. The seceding party (the majority") employ- 
ed Elder Jacob Fisk as pastor for one year. An attempt 
was made to secure the services of Elders Alfred Bennett 
and Daniel Hascal, to act as mediators, but it appears to 
have been unsuccessful. 

In the preamble to the record of the proceedings of the 
last council, the one party states that " we, being the 
minority of said church, and but fourteen in number, two 
males and twelve females, convinced that it was our 
duty, under existing circumstances, to use some extraor- 
dinary means to save ourselves, preserve our standing, 
and secure to ourselves the privileges of the incorporated 
church at Farmerville, as our last resort, did withdraw the 
hand of fellowship from those opposed to us, and did de- 
clare our independence on the 24th day of May, 1828." 
This was what we might call a strong minority. The 
council last mentioned, assembling Feb. 10, 1830, was a 
very large one, fifteen churches being represented. Elder 
W. W. Brown, of Romulus, was Moderator, Elder John 
Sears, clerk. Both parties bound themselves to abide 
the action of this assembly. The council decided that 
the party under the ministry of Elder Ford, were nearest 
the gospel ground, but thinking that both parties had 
erred, decided that any brethren of the other party could 
have letters to join other churches, a committee being 
appointed to grant such letters in behalf of the council 
and of the church. 



132 Seneca Baptist Association. 

«» 

This division was almost a death blow to the church, 
She retained her visibility, but her force was almost spent. 
She returned to occupy her accustomed seat in the as- 
sociational gatherings, but to take a low place. She had 
reported over one hundred members, now she is recon- 
stituted with fourteen, and appears at the Association 
with but thirty. It was a time of darkness, but we do 
not hear one word of despair. The two brothers and the 
twelve sisters had brave hearts, and were willing to work. 
They kept up their organization ; they retained their 
pastor; they sustained the appointed meetings of the 
church. Their patience had its perfect work. The two 
male members mentioned above were William Rappleye, 
and Burgun Covert. 

Elder Ford was succeeded by Elder N. N. Whiting, in 
1832. The church held a protracted meeting of one 
week, and a number of converts were baptised. Elder 
H. B. Dodge became pastor in 1833. He was succeeded 
by Elder U. B. Miller, in 1834. In 1836, Elder Thomas 
Dowling preached for a short time as a ; supply. Elder 
Bradbury S. Clay was pastor for one year. This was a 
season of short pastorates. Elder Richard Woolsey be- 
came pastor May 7th, 1837, an ^ labored faithfully for 
four years. Elder Miller assisted the pastor in a meeting 
of days, beginning on the 16th of January, 1841, and 
there were numerous additions to the church. Elder 
Woolsey resigned in May, 1841. An important business 
meeting was held in June, when it was resolved that "at 
all subsequent periods all the male members shall pay the 
sum of one dollar yearly on salaries. This was called 
" the one dollar sacrifice money," "and for the faithful 
performance of the above resolutions we mutually sub- 
scribe our names:" Smith Ryno, H. Rappleye, T. M. 
Swick, J. J. Brown, J. Teed, D. Ellis, H. W. Ford, J. 
Swick, J. Brokaw, J. P. Rappleye, J. Austin, J. Shepherd, 
N. G. Pinney, A. M. Williams, P. Bassett. That list 



Seneca Baptist Association. 133 

shows who cared enough for the church at this time to 
attend a business meeting. Church business is not trans- 
acted by the miraculous intervention of Providence. 

Peter Goo became pastor in July, 1841, and Pierpont 
Bassett, Firmon Holton, and D. Ellis were appointed a 
committee to raise his salary by subscription. The 
amount of property " given up " by the church, as re- 
ported by a committee, Nov. 20, 1841, was sixteen thou- 
sand nine hundred dollars. In 1845, A. J. Ellis, a licenti- 
ate, supplied the pulpit for several months. 

Rev. William McCarthy became pastor April 4, 1846, 
and remained as such for six years. During his adminis- 
tration, was built the parsonage, which is still owned by 
the society. In 1847, died two of the most venerable 
and respected members of the church, Rev. Richard 
Woolsey, and Brother Jeremiah Rappleye. 

Elder McCarthy resigned in" 1851, and the pulpit was 
filled for a short time by Elder B. Capron. Rev. J. W. 
Wiggins was the next pastor ; he also remained for six 
years, and is remembered as a faithful servant of his 
Master. In 1853, he was assisted in a series of meetings 
by his brother-in-law, Elder O. Montague, and many of 
the congregation were received as candidates for baptism. 
Among those baptised at this time, was Winfield Scott, 
afterward Captain, and Chaplain in the 126th Regiment, 
N. Y. S. V., and since pastor at Leavenworth, Denver, 
and San Francisco. 

Rev. E. Weaver was settled in 1858, remaining two 
years. He was assisted in a protracted meeting by the 
well-known Evangelist, Rev. Henry G, Dewitt, and in 
one year sixty-three members were added to the church 
by baptism. 

Elder Weaver resigned, May 1, i860, and John Boorom, 
C. V. Covert, and J. B. Scott, were appointed a pulpit 
committee. 



134 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Rev. J. B. Smith began his work as pastor, June i, 
i860, and during the six years that he was the earnest, 
watchful, skillful leader of this people, the church in 
Farmerville gained and held a position decidedly in ad- 
vance of any it had previously occupied. The increase 
in membership was not great but was gradual and certain. 
Every day the church grew stronger in influence, and 
stood higher in honorable self-respect. 

The first step taken, under this active as well as acting 
pastor, was to repair the parsonage, then, as was the case 
ten years afterward, sadly in need of such labor. The 
next step was to build a new house of worship. For this 
purpose, pastor Smith secured subscriptions amounting 
to between six thousand and seven thousand dollars. 
The church resolved to arise and build. L. Hinman, 
Jacob Boorom, B. E. Bassette, and William Longstreet, 
were appointed a committee on plan ; L. Hinman, B. E. 
Bassette, Jacob Boorom, Joseph Sniffen and J. P. Rap- 
pleye, building committee. The subscription list shows 
that there were many magnanimous men, and noble 
women not a few, who were willing to make sacrifices in 
order to build this second temple. The names of the 
donors are recorded on the church book, and we trust in 
a more enduring record. The corner-stone was laid July 
5, 1861, Rev. J. B. Smith giving an address, Rev'ds. B. 
Bassler, M. Swick, D. Corey, E. Marshall, C. A. Votey, 
participating in the services. Numerous papers were 
deposited, including records of the Baptist church, pre- 
sented by J. P. Rappleye ; of the Reformed church, by 
Rev. B. Basslar; of the Reformed Sunday-School, by 
James C. Knight ; of the Universalist church, by Scott 
Boughton ; of the Public School, by Lyman B. Parshall; of 
Farmer Village, by Ira Almy ; of the Cemetery Associa- 
tion by James C. Knight ; of the Masonic Lodge, by 
Charles Kelly; of the Town Hall, by P. H. Hinman. The 
church is of brick, with cut stone foundation, door-way 



Seneca Baptist Association. 135 

and arches, 57 X 82 feet, chapel 28 X 36, of the composite 
order of architecture, walls tinted, windows of stained 
glass. It has an attractive home-like appearance. 
" Moreover," says a gentleman, not a Baptist, in a recent 
appreciative article, " it is a very hospitable church ; no 
stranger need ever wait at the door." The well-known 
architect, H. N. White, of Syracuse, drew the plan ; John 
Smith was the builder. 

Meetings were held for four weeks in 1862, Rev. A. B. 
Earle assisting the pastor. The church was revived and 
a number of candidates were received for baptism. Nicho- 
las Rappleye, a respected and venerable member of the 
church, died at the home of his son* Sylvester Rappleye, 
near Trumansburg, Aug. 28, 1863. 

Here begins the record of the brave men who fell in the 
Union army. 

" No chiseled catacombs nor tombs enclose 

With spice and sweet perfume each lallen son ! 
No monuments arise where they repose, 

With pictured scenes of battles they have won ! 
But millions keep the record they have made 
And will not let their sacred memory die ; 
Within a nation's heart their forms are laid 

Enshrined in love — embalmed our soldiers lie." 

[a. l. childs. 
Edwin Covert died in the army, near New Orleans, 
Feb. 2d, 1863. Mortimer Rappleye and Arcelus Smith 
died in the service in 1864. Isaac Miller died in the hos- 
pital at Salisbury prison, North Carolina, Oct. 14, 1864. 
In December, 1865, Rev. J. B. Smith, on account of con- 
tinued ill health, handed in his resignation. This is the 
only time in the history of the church, when the records 
show that any demonstration was made at the resignation 
of a pastor. This was the case, perhaps, not that the 
brethren loved other pastors less, but because they loved 
pastor Smith more. Rev. Maris Gibson began his labors 
March 18th, 1866. He remained for one year, and was 
succeeded by Rev. M. W. Homes, from Romulus. 



136 Seneca Baptist Association. 

* 

On the 14th of November, 1868, the church met at a 
special meeting and elected as deacons: B. E. Bassette , 
John Brooks, W. W. Boorom, and A. J. Rappleye. A 
protracted meeting began Dec. 1st, the pastor being as- 
sisted by the revivalist Rev. Geo. Balcom. Fifty con- 
verts were baptised, among them the venerable sister 
Betsey Dunning, in the eighty-first year of her age. This 
year died two of the most aged and respected members 
of the church, who had labored perhaps as zealously as 
any others in her service, and were made honored in- 
struments in the hands of God of advancing and sustain- 
ing her prosperity. Deacon William Rappleye died Oct. 
29, aged ninety-five" years five months and two days. 
Deacon John Boorom died Nov. 23, aged seventy-four 
years and twenty-eight days. The labors of pastor 
Homes ceased Nov. 21, 1869; and for a time the pulpit 
was filled acceptably by Rev. John T. Beckley, of 
Rochester. 

Rev. Curtis B. Parsons, who had just been graduated 
at the Rochester Theological Seminary, began his services 
as pastor May 1st, 1870, receiving a salary of eleven hun- 
dred dollars with use of the parsonage. This was the 
largest sum the church had ever paid a pastor. Louis J. 
Gross, a student at Hamilton, was granted license to im- 
prove his gift. Mr. Parsons was ordained June 15, his fa- 
ther, Rev. I. S. Parsons, preaching the sermon, Rev. Peter 
Goo, of Ovid, giving the charge to the candidate, Rev. 
C. J. Shrimpton, of Ithaca, the charge to the church. 
Mr. Parsons resigned in September, 1873, and the church 
was without a minister until Feb. 1, 1874, when the pres- 
ent pastor Rev. Lewis Halsey, accepted a unanimous call 
to the pastorate. In the interval, the pulpit was acceptably 
supplied by Rev. H. S. Westgate, now of Cortland, and by 
Rev. A. M. Mann, D. D., of Farmer Village. 

There are probably few communities in which is mani- 
fested more of the spirit of Christian union than is seen 



Seneca Baptist Association. 137 

"in Farmer Village. The congregations of the Reformed 
and Baptist churches meet once each month for Union 
service. When the Baptist church was building in 1862, 
and when the Reformed church was repaired in 1877, 
both congregations worshiped together. In Aug. 1879, 
the consistory of the Reformed church passed a series of 
resolutions from which we quote the following : "Re- 
solved, that we will cherish and endeavor to perpetuate 
the fraternal and union feeling which has grown up be- 
tween the pastors and members of our respective church- 
es." Signed by Rev. Philip Furbeck, President; D.C.- 
Wheeler, Secretary. 

The church has a prosperous and well officered Sun- 
day-School. For twenty years J. P. Rappleye was its 
faithful Superintendent. Thirty-five members of the 
school enlisted in the Union Army. Can any church 
show a more honorable war record ? 

The Farmer Village church has for many years enjoy- 
ed almost uninterrupted peace, and has made slow but 
steady growth. Two prayer meetings are now well sus- 
tained, and as the prayer-meeting is an index of spiritual 
power, the church of Farmer Village may look to the 
future with courage and with hope. 

The first meeting-house was built in 1823, at a cost of 
about $3000. It was thoroughly repaired in 1842. The 
parsonage lot was bought in 1874. Fayette Allen, John 
Boorom, Pierpont Bassette, Sylvester Rappleye, and J. P. 
Rappleye, were a committee to build a parsonage house. 
The sweet toned bell, one of Meneeiy's best, was purchas- 
ed in 1859, anc * cost $620. Estimated value of church 
property, $16,000. Oldest member, Jude Tunison, form- 
erly a slave, and one of the constituent members of the 
church. 

OFFICERS. 

The following list gives the names of the deacons with 
the date of their election : 



i3<8 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Elnathan Winans and Lewis Johnston, Nov. 27, 1819; 
William Rappleye and Mahlon Covert, Feb. 2, 1833; 
Abraham Swick, 1836; Daniel Mizener and Jas. Brown, 
April 1836; John Boorom and Cornelius V. Covert, Nov. 
5, 1842; B. E. Bassette, John S. Brooks, W. W. Boorom, 
and A. J. Rappleye, Nov. 14, 1868. The four last named, 
with the exception of the lamented John S. Brooks, are 
the present deacons. The church has been happy in the 
selection of its officers, calling to serve as deacons able, 
earnest, sober minded men, who have faithfully dis- 
charged the duties of their office. 

Licentiates : Winfield Scott, the date of whose license is 
not given, and Louis J. Gross, licensed April 2, 1870. 

Clerks: Jeremiah Rappleye, elected Nov. 27, 1819; Jo- 
seph Dunlap, April, 1825 ; William Boughton, June, 1825. 
During the troublous period, Bergun Covert was clerk. 
After reconstruction, Fayette Allen was clerk for six years. 
John P. Rappleye was elected Oct. 8, 1835, and for near- 
ly forty-three years has faithfully performed the duties of 
his office. The society was incorporated April 3, 1824, 
and the church and society has had as clerks, Samuel 
Almy, Jacob S. Rappleye, Wm. Smith, James M. Rap- 
pleye, and lastly, B. E. Bassette, elected in 1861. 

The following persons have served as trustees : 

Jeremiah Rappleye, Samuel Almy, William Rappleye, 
Jacob S. Rappleye, Abraham Hand, Lewis Johnston, 
Abram Bloomer, Fayette Allen, Lemuel Bassette, J. P. 
Rappleye, D. Mizener, Hiram Rappleye, Harmon Jones r 
Ira Almy, Nicholas Rappleye, John Boorom, Ansel Rap- 
pleye, Firmon Holton, Hamilton O. Mundy, Jas. B. Scott r 
Jas. M. Rappleye, Tunis S. Rappleye, Ira C. Johnson, B. 
E. Bassette, Joseph Sniffen, Hudson Rappleye, L. Hin- 
man, W. W. Boorom, J. B. Bassette, George Rice, Wil- 
liam Longstreet, Jacob Boorom, William B. Mundy, Ira 
C. HalL Addison Boorom. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 139 

William Rappleye and J. P. Rappleye served each four 
terms; Fayette Allen, John Boorom and H. O. Mundy 
each three terms ; Lemuel Bassette, Ira Almy, Nicholas 
Rappleye, J. B. Scott, Jacob Boorom and J. B. Bassette, 
each two terms, L. Hinman was elected for a fourth term 
but resigned before his term expired. William Long- 
street is now serving his fourth term. Mr. Hinman died 
in 1873, and his zealous labors in behalf of the church are 
held in grateful remembrance. Jacob Boorom and Ira 
Almy received a vote of thanks for their faithful labors 
in behalf of the church and society. 

Joseph Sniffen, Hudson Rappleye and Jacob Boorom 
were trustees at the time of the building of the present 
church, and received from the church and society a unan- 
imous vote of thanks for their able, arduous and satisfact- 
ory services. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: Lewis Halsey. Deacons: B. E. Bassette, John 
Brooks, (dec'd) W. W. Boorom, A. J. Rappleye. Church 
clerk: J. P. Rappleye. Society clerk: B. E. Bassette. 
Trustees : Ira C. Hall, Addison Boorom, Wm. Longstreet. 
Treasurer: William Longstreet. Chorister: Warren L. 
Miller. Organist : Mrs. Elizabeth K. Willers. Welcoming 
Committee : Hudson Rappleye, Wm. Longstreet, Charles 
Bogart. Sexton : George Bogart. 

Sunday-School Superintendent : B. E. Bassette ; Sec- 
retary : A. J. Rappleye; Treasurer: J. L. Ryno ; Libra- 
rian : D. La Tourrette. Teacher of Bible Class : Hiram 
R. Covert ; Chorister : Homer Boorom ; Organist : Miss 
Alice E. Bassette. 

Woman's Baptist Missionary Society : President, Mrs. 
Andrew Miller. Secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Dickerson, 
Treasurer, Miss Louisa Boorom. 

Ladies' Social Organization: President, Mrs. A. J. 
Rappleye. Secretary, Mrs. Ira C. Hall. Treasurer, Mrs. 
J. L. Ryno. 



140 Seneca Baptist Association, 

cardinal dates. 

1819 — 10 — 18 Conference formed. 

1819 — 11 — 22, Church recognized. 

1821, Unites with Seneca Association. 

1823, First meeting-house built. 

1824 — 4 — 3, Society incorporated. 

1825, Division and sorrow. 

1830 — 2 — jo, Reconstruction, 

1842, Meeting-house repaired. 

1847, Parsonage built. 

1859, Bell bought. 

1861 — 7 — 5, Corner stone of church laid. 

1862 — 2 — 25, Meeting-house dedicated. 



Ithaca. 



For the following sketch, I am indebted, chiefly, to the 
interesting history of the church in Ithaca prepared by 
Pastor Hermon F. Titus, and read at the Jubilee exercises, 
May 28, 1877. 

The Baptist Conference of Danby was constituted 
Sept. 25, 1 82 1, by twenty-three members who had been 
dismissed from the church then of Spencer, now of W. Dan- 
by. It was recognized as a church Nov. 13, 1 82 1 , by a coun- 
cil in which were represented the churches : Second Ulys- 
ses, Dryden, Spencer, and Third Ulysses. O. C. Comstock 
was Moderator and preacher. Rev. Phineas Spaulding, who 
was accompanied by his son, William Spaulding, a licenti- 
ate, gave the charge to the church. In 1822, a council was 
called to ordain Iram Hawes and Ephraim Smith as 
deacons. 

A marked contrast is noted between the present and 
the early manner of setting apart deacons. The candidates 
were called upon to relate their Christian experience, to 
give their views of doctrine and of the office and duty of a 
deacon. Then, their call to this ministry being approved, 
they were solemnly set apart by prayer and the laying on 
of hands, receiving an impressive charge, and the hand of 
fellowship. 

The church became a member of the Seneca Associa- 
tion in 1822. It was a feeble band and owned no place 
of worship, meeting usually at Brother Jessup's. Chester 
Coburn was pastor until July, 1825, when he was succeed- 
ed by Caleb Nelson. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 143 

Many facts of interest might be gleaned from the rec- 
ords of the church during its experience in Danby. It 
maintained a strict discipline. After exercising its au- 
thority it quotes the text : " And whatsoever ye shall 
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." It is refreshing 
to find that " one characteristic of church life is not en- 
grossed by modern churches," since the clerk writes, — 
4 found a union, but a very alarming degree of stupidity 
in the church." 

Many of the members of the church resided in Ithaca, 
and in the autumn of 1826, Elder O. C. Comstock, and 
Elder J. R. Burdick persuaded the brethren "to remove 
their standing as a church " to that village. The first 
meeting in Ithaca was held at the Court House, Oct. 18, 
1826. Rev. O. C. Comstock, pastor of the Trumansburg 
church, was engaged to preach to the church once in two 
weeks. 

That winter is remembered as the time of the great 
awakening. The whole community seemed to feel the 
presence of the Spirit. Elder Sabin, the Methodist pas- 
tor, " most powerfully shook the bush," as he expressed 
it. The well remembered Dr. William Wisner, then 
pastor of the Presbyterian church, entered into the work 
with his accustomed impetuosity. Religion was the gen- 
eral topic of conversation. Every place, almost, became 
a place of prayer. We are reminded of the days of Jona- 
than Edwards. The people agonized in prayer, and 
could not sleep for anxiety, as they thought of their own 
sins, or of the danger of the impenitent. All the church- 
es were revived and strengthened. The Baptist church 
received constant additions. The ordinance of baptism 
was administered on almost every Lord's Day. 

Dr. O. C. Comstock writes from Trumansburg to the 
editor of the Baptist Register, Oct. 25, 1826. 

"I commenced preaching in Ithaca, June 1 8th, and 
have continued my labors there every second Sabbath. 



144 Seneca Baptist Association. 

The place of meeting has been the Court-House, which 
was generously opened for our accommodation. At first 
our assemblies were rather small, but soon increased to a 
considerable congregation." 

He speaks of the gift by Surveyor General Simeon De- 
Witt, of a site for a house of worship, of the removal of 
the church from Danby to Ithaca, and of the welcome 
aid he had received in his labors from his beloved brother 
Elder Burdick, of the city of Washington. Dr. Comstock 
was at this time serving as a missionary of the State Con- 
vention. He writes, Jan. I, 1827: " The revival in Ithaca 
continues. It is indeed great and glorious. Since my last 
communication I have had the happiness to administer 
the humbling and significant ordinance of baptism to 
eighteen rejoicing disciples." 

Elder John Sears became pastor May 10, 1827. An 
organization was effected under the statute law, May 28, 
1827. David Woodcock, Esq., Jabez Howland, Wm. 
Mott, Dr. Geo. W. Phillips, Phineas Bennett, Julius Ran- 
ney, Jedediah Beebee, Luther Gere, Esq., and W. P. Bur- 
dick were elected trustees. 

The church now entered vigorously upon the work of 
building a house of worship. Elder Sears was sent out 
on a collecting tour, and seems to have been architect-in- 
chief. Like Nehemiah, he inspired the weak, encouraged 
the strong, refused to listen to the faint-hearted, and hur- 
ried on the work. Yet his task was no easy one, and it 
was not until several years afterward that his people saw 
the walls of their Zion erected, and their temple ready 
for consecration. 

" The denominations already in the field were not well- 
disposed towards the innovators. In those days Baptists 
were not as well-known as at present. They were not 
then in numbers and influence the second denomination 
in the world. Instead of 2,000,000 communicants, they 
numbered only a few scattered thousands. They were 



Seneca Baptist Association. 145 

reviled and hindered. Their baptism was made a laugh- 
ing-stock, and their convictions ridiculed. Their neigh- 
bors were not at all inclined to brook the near approach 
of such a bigoted sect. A pastor upon one occasion 
entered the covenant-meeting of the little church and in 
a benignant way advised the conventicle to disband, not 
to attempt any such foolish project, but rather to unite 
with his congregation and thus prevent the multiplication 
of sectaries. We have inadvertently assumed the tone of 
a partisan, led thereto by the contemplation of the spirit 
of supercilious intolerance which then pervaded the relig. 
ious atmosphere. Another incident of the times is in 
point. Elder Sears was engaged in delivering a series of 
discourses upon the peculiar tenets of the faith which he 
professed. A brother minister one afternoon dropped in 
to listen. At the close of the sermon, the visitor, with a 
modesty and courtesy seldom met with, arose in the con- 
gregation and invited them to attend his Bible class upon 
the following Sunday, where the subject just discussed 
by the Elder would be treated in its true light. The next 
Sabbath found the Elder in his neighbor's Bible class, 
not, we fear, in a very docile mood, for he returned there- 
from to his own congregation and impertinently preached 
from the text found in Proverbs 18:17 : " He that is first 
in his own cause seemeth just, but his neighbor cometh 
and searcheth him." We have no disposition to portray 
our Baptist fathers as martyrs ; for it must be admitted 
that they did not display very much of that meek spirit 
which turns the other cheek. We present these incidents 
in order to make manifest the character of antagonism 
which marked the time. We may be grateful that a love 
which rejoiceth in the truth wherever found and thinketh 
no evil, has secured more sway in our day." 

The meeting-house was completed in 183 1, at a cost of 
about seven thousand dollars. Elder N. N. Whiting as- 



146 Seneca Baptist Association. 

sumed the pastoral office, March 6th, 1831. A revival 
followed, resulting in upwards of thirty-five baptisms. 

Two other short pastorates succeeded Mr. Whiting's, 
those of Elder J. R. Burdick and Elder Calvin Philleo. 
" At that time it was the custom of the church to employ 
their pastors by the year. At the close of each year's 
service it was usual to attempt to ascertain the minds of 
the brethren and sisters as to the desirability of renewing 
the engagement for the ensuing year. This furnished 
opportunity for the expression of any disaffection towards 
the pastor, and was a frequent cause of separation be- 
tween pastor and people. These yearly occasions of de- 
bate must have been sources of confusion to Christian 
activity on the part of the church and of humiliating and 
embarrassing solicitude on the part of the pastor." 

The church was now struggling under a debt of two 
thousand dollars. This debt Mr. Philleo, "■• a man of 
vigorous though somewhat eccentric habit," succeeded in 
liquidating. He also secured for the church a bell, and 
left his people much stronger financially than when he 
came among them. He was a pronounced abolitionist, 
and never hesitated to champion the cause of the op- 
pressed. 

Mr. Philleo resigned in 1834, and the church was sup- 
plied during the next winter by Jacob Thomas and Miles 
Bronson, two Hamilton students who were about to go 
as missionaries to India. The Lord was with his people 
to revive his work. Elder Knapp, the well-known evan- 
gelist, came in January and conducted a meeting which 
continued for six weeks. It is believed that more than 
two hundred were converted. All the churches in the 
village received accessions. 

Rev. C. G. Carpenter became pastor May 3, 1835. "It 
fell to him to organize the crude products of the recent 
revival, and to instruct the fresh converts in the faith, a 
difficult task but well accomplished." D. C. Wait, a 



Seneca Baptist Association. 147 

licentiate of this church, was ordained in 1836, at Homer, 
but was soon called from labor to his rest. The church 
had again suffered itself to be led into a financial quag- 
mire, and Mr. Carpenter's pastorate seems to have been 
a struggle to extricate it. He resigned after three years 
of faithful toil, the church accepting his resignation with 
great reluctance. In 1837, the contribution of the church 
for Home Missions exceeded one hundred dollars, " an 
accomplishment well worthy of emulation." 

Rev. S. S. Parr next accepted a call to the pastorate, 
and is remembered as an eloquent and convincing preach- 
er, and an able debater. The church received large ac- 
cessions. Mr. Parr was a Baptist of the Baptists, and 
soon became involved in a wordy war with a brother 
pastor, in which both seem to have lost their tempers. 

Rev. David Bellamy was pastor for seventeen months, 
and was much beloved by the church. He was assisted 
in a series of meetings by Elders Blain and Nickerson, 
and converts were multiplied. Greatly to the regret of 
the congregation, he resigned, in 1841, to accept a call to 
New York City. 

The next pastor was Rev. Jirah D. Cole. He remain- 
ed nineteen months, being dismissed at his own request, 
May 15, 1843. His name is held in high esteem. He 
sustained two severe bereavements in 1877, in the death 
of his wife, and also of his son, Jirah D. Cole, Jr., who 
was well-known in Ithaca, in 1848-49. 

Rev. H. L. Grose, now editor of the Ballston Journal, 
Ballston, Spa. N. Y., was the next pastor, remaining for 
nearly one year. His name also is recalled with pleasure. 
Rev. A. Jackson was called to the pastorate in April, 
1844. "Soon after his arrival the clerk records: ' There is 
evidently an increase of religious interest.' But this is 
not peculiar to the coming of this pastor. We might 
have remarked the same in several other instances. We 
are led to query whether pastors are reservoirs of spiritu- 



148 Seneca Baptist Association. 

al life ; also, to direct attention to what must already 
have been observed, that the history of the church 
amounts to but little besides an account of pastors and 
their relations to the church. A new minister comes, 
there is renewed activity in the church. The interest 
augments for a time, then subsides ; then it is time for 
him to depart. We cannot believe this the normal plan 
of church development. What a different task would be 
ours at this hour if we were tracing the growth of a spirit- 
ual body uninterrupted by the accidents of pastoral 
changes, and pursuing without deviation of policy the 
path of ' growth in grace ' and attainment of love, the 
bond of perfectness ! " 

At this time, B. B. Gibbs and David Atwater were 
licensed to preach. Two persons were excluded for their 
connection with Millerism. Mr. Jackson resigned in Oct. 
1848. During his pastorate arose an unhappy controver- 
sy concerning secret societies', the institution of Odd Fel- 
lowship being the alleged bete noir which disturbed the 
minds of some of the brethren. A division of the church 
was the result, and the Berean church was constituted. 

Rev. Fred Glanville accepted a call to the pastorate in 
April, 1849, but his stay was short. In February, 1850, 
Rev. William Cormac was called from Trumansburg, and 
the church once more saw a period of prosperity. His 
coming was like the coming of refreshing showers to the 
parched and thirsting earth. The church was revived, 
sinners were converted, and the records speak of many 
baptisms. Mr. Cormac was an eloquent preacher, a faith- 
ful pastor, and a man of peace. So happy was the in- 
fluence he exercised, and so extensively did brotherly 
love prevail, that the aggrieved brethren of the Berean 
church were cordially invited to return to their old home, 
and the majority, in the same fraternal spirit, accepted 
the invitation. After a pastorate of two and one-half 
years, Mr. Cormac accepted a call to Mendon, Monroe Co. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 149 

Rev. J. M. Harris, of Amsterdam, N. Y., was invited to 
serve as pastor in Sept. 1852. It is stated that the only 
objection to his call was made by two brethren, on the 
ground that " he preached from notes," but this, accord- 
ing to Mr. Titus, must have been a propitious sign, since 
" his pastorate was the longest and hence the most pros- 
perous in the history of the church." During the years 
of his ministry, peace prevailed, the work of the church 
was steadily carried forward, the blessing of the Lord 
rested upon his people, and baptisms were frequent. At 
this time, the church reached the acme of its numerical 
prosperity, reporting three hundred and fifty-two mem- 
bers. But in the midst of this prosperity, affliction came 
upon them to try their faith. Their uninsured meeting- 
house was burned, Jan. 1 1, 1854. Undismayed under the 
leadership of their brave pastor, they at once began pre- 
parations to rebuild. Nobly and with great self-sacrifice 
the work was carried forward, and the second temple, 
built at a cost of $10,000, was completed in the autumn 
of 1855. After a pleasant pastorate of twelve years, Mr. 
Harris accepted a call to Rome, N. Y., leaving the church 
strengthened, united, and prepared for future labors. 

Rev. J. N. Folwell was called from Easton, Pa., in 1865, 
and was pastor for four years. His labors were also 
blessed to the upbuilding of the church, and he baptised 
many converts. Special attention was given to doctrine 
and discipline. The large annual contributions show- 
ed a remarkable growth of the spirit of benevolence. 
Toward the close of his pastorate, the spirit of discord 
again manifested its presence in the church, bringing 
with it alienation, dissention, and at last division. An 
independent church was again constituted, and was recog- 
nized, six years afterward, as the Tabernacle Baptist 
church of Ithaca. Mr. Folwell resigned in 1869, to ac- 
cept the secretaryship of the New York Baptist Educa- 
tion Society, and for several months the pulpit was sup- 



150 Seneca Baptist Association. 

plied by S. Hobart Adams, then a student in the Theo- 
logical Seminary, at Rochester. This noble young man, 
honored and loved by all, was called home at the opening 
of a life of richest promise, March 5th, 1870. 

The next pastor was Rev. C. J. Shrimpton, who began 
his work here Nov. 1, 1869. During his ministry dissen- 
tions were healed, the church was united, and the foun- 
dation was laid for future work. The audience room of 
the church was renovated and made attractive. After a 
pastorate of four years Mr. Shrimpton, to the deep re- 
gret of the church, accepted a call to Fayetteville, N. Y. 
In 1874, Rev. E. T. Hiscox, D. D., now pastor at Mount 
Vernon, N. Y., supplied the desk with great acceptance. 

Rev. C. A. Harris was the next pastor in charge, and 
entered upon his work with enthusiasm. His labors were 
blessed to the ingathering of many of the youth of the 
congregation, and his resignation, taking effect April 1, 
1876, was received with general surprise and regret. 
While the church was without a pastor, Rev. Horace L. 
House, now pastor at Minneapolis, preached for a time 
as a supply, and his presence was always welcome, 

Rev. Hermon F. Titus was called as pastor Sept. 1, 
1876, and was ordained on the 31st of the same month, 
Rev. J. J. Lewis, of Madison University, preaching the 
ordination sermon. Mr. Titus' first work was to attempt 
to free the church from debt. This work was so soon 
accomplished that at their semi-centennial anniversary, 
May 28, 1877, the church could say: "We 'owe no man 
anything but to love one another.' ' The historical 
sketch continues : " The cheerful co-operation and hearty 
unanimity which have been developed in our church, in 
the most stringent portion of a year of the hardest kind 
of times, may well be a source of congratulation to our- 
selves, and a most hopeful omen for the opening of our 
second half century of life. We can adopt no better 
motto for our future than that injunction of the apostle 



Seneca Baptist Association. 151 

just quoted : ' Owe no man anything, but to love one 
another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the 
law.' " 

On the 1st of January, 1878, Mr. Titus began the pub- 
lication of a quarterly newspaper, known as " The Way- 
mark." It has been edited with marked ability, and is 
enriched by so many timely and well worded articles, that 
we would be glad, did our space allow, to quote at length 
from its pages. The initial number contained an engrav 
ing of the first Baptist meeting-house built in Ithaca ; 
the second, a cut of the present church ; the issue of 
April, 1879, tne portrait of Rev. Dr. O. C. Comstock, the 
first pastor of the church in Ithaca. The editor of " the 
Waymark " speaks with high commendation of the la- 
bors of the treasurer, Caleb Earl, who for upward of 
twenty years served the church faithfully and acceptably. 
He also refers to the arduous duties of the committee on 
finance, and to the patient and constant labors of the 
chief collector, Dea. M. P. Ellison. He writes: "To be 
loyal to our church means much. Our church will suc- 
ceed really only when every member takes an active in- 
terest in its welfare, feels himself personally responsible 
for its prosperity, and enthusiastically believes in it and 
labors for it." 

The present church edifice was built by the Messrs. 
Earl, in 1854-55, immediately after the burning of the 
first meeting-house. Repairs upon the interior to the 
amount of one thousand dollars were made in 1871, and 
some eight hundred dollars were expended upon the ex- 
terior in 1877. "The engraving on page 141 will be rec- 
ognized by the Baptists of Ithaca as the countenance of a 
familiar friend. Though it be true that the spirit of the 
gospel makes 

' God's love and blessing — 
Now, and here, and everywhere,' 
* And evety land a Palestine ; ' 



152 Seneca Baptist Association. 

yet the hallowed memories of early Christian experience 
render ; church-homes' very precious indeed." 

CHURCH OFFICERS. 

The list of pastors is given in the tables of statistics of 
the churches, with the exception of Chester Coburn 
settled 1812; Caleb Nelson, 1825 ; O. C. Comstock, 1826. 
The names of the first trustees may be found by referring 
to the organization of the church. Lewis H. Culver was 
elected trustee, May 20, 1840, and remained in office 
during his life. He was for many years President of the 
Board. John Northrup was elected June 15, 1852, and 
held the office for twenty-seven years, serving as clerk. 
Lewis H. Culver died, July 18, 1876. 

Among the licentiates were J. R. Burdick, D. C. Wait, 
B. B. Gibbs, David Atwater, and S. H. Adams. 

I. Hawes and E. Smith were ordained as deacons 
March 6, 1822; J. Beebee and E. Hunt, Aug. 11, 1827. 
Deacon Hawes resigned in 1843. S. Hunt, A. Curtis, I. 
Earl, and W. C. Gordon were elected deacons for one 
year, Sept. 17, 1838. Deacon J. Beebee died May 9, 
1840. S. Hunt, I. Earl, H. K. Webster and B. Taber 
were chosen deacons, June 14, 1842 ; Geo. Covert, May 
14, 1847; Theophilus Drake, Dec. 11, 1848; Dr. S. P. 
Sackett, Dec, 3, 1858; James Morrison and William 
W. Ayers, Jan. 27, 1868; Dr. E. C. Moe and M. P. 
Ellison, Sept. 2, 1872. Deacon I. Earl died, Nov. 26, 1861 ; 
Deacon James Morrison died, Sept. 25, 1870. 

List of clerks, with date of election : 

William C. Gordon, 1829; W. P. Burdick, 1830; S. 
Hunt, 1833; A. Burritt, 1839; Henry B. Squires, 1840; 
S. Hunt, (re-elected) 1844; H. Hill, 1845; Chas. W. 
Sackett, 1867; H. W. Sackett, 1874; A. R. Ward, 1S75. 
Among the church and society clerks were Abel Burritt, 
Lewis H. Culver, and, for many years, John Northrup. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 153 

present officers. 
Pastor: H. F. Titus. Deacons: Theophilus Drake, 
Dr. S. P. Sackett, William W. Ayers, M. P. Ellison, 
Clerk : A. R. Ward. Trustees : B. F. Taber, Caleb Earl, 
J. B. Lang, J. C. Westervelt, A. R. Ward. Officers of 
Sunday-School : J. C. Westervelt, Superintendent ; E. H. 
Sibley, Assistant Superintendent ; William Elliott, Secre- 
tary and Treasurer. Floral and Decorating Committee : 
Miss Woodruff, Miss Northrup, Miss Cowdry, Mrs. Stan- 
ford, Miss G. Nelson, and Mrs. Titus. 
CARDINAL DATES. 

1821 — 9 — 25, . s . Danby Conference formed. 

1821 — 11 — 13, Church recognized. 

1822—9 — 4, United with Seneca Association. 

1826 — 10 — 18, First meeting in Ithaca. 

1827 — 5 — 28, First Board of Trustees elected. 

1831 — 3, New meeting-house occupied. 

1847 — 4 — 9, Members dismissed to form Berean church. 

1854 — 1 — 11, Meeting-house burned. 

1855, New house built. 

1862 — 10 — 8, Baptist State Convention at Ithaca. 

1870 — 1 — 31. . . .Members dismissed to constitute a new church. 

1 871— 10, Baptist State Convention at Ithaca. 

1877 — 5 — 28, Jubilee Anniversary. 



Tabernacle Baptist Church of Ithaca. 

The Tabernacle Baptist church of Ithaca, was organized 
Feb. 7, 1870, with forty members. It was recognized as 
a regular Baptist church by a council held Jan. 18, 1876, 
of which Hon. George Sherwood, of Binghampton, was 
Moderator, F. Dusenberry, of Enfield, clerk. In 1877 
the church united with the Seneca Association. 

Francisco Dusenberry became pastor March 28, 1870, 
and remained for four years, being recalled as pastor in 
April, 1877. From 1874 to 1877, the pulpit was rilled for 
the greater part of the time by two licentiates, Theodore 
S. Leonard and James F. Rapson. Mr. Rapson has just 
accepted the call of the Fuller Memorial church in the 
city of Baltimore. 

OFFICERS. 

Franklin Hooker and John Linderbury were elected 
deacons Feb. 7. 1870; Lucius Mastin, March 27, 1874. 

The clerk is elected yearly. Brennett J. Mix was 
elected Feb. 7, 1870; Anna Jarvis, Feb. 27, 1871 ; Ellen 
Clark, May 17, 1875. 

Franklin Tooker was the first Superintendent of the 
Sunday-School. R. O. Lay, was elected in Jan. 1873, 
and is still Superintendent. This youthful church has its 
history before it. May its life be long and prosperous! 
PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: Francisco Dusenberry. Deacons : J. Linderbury, 
L. Mastin. Clerk: Ellen Clark. Trustee: Lucius Mastin. 
Superintendent of Sunday-School : R. O. Lay. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1870—2 — 7, Church organized. 

1876 — 1 — 18, Church recognized. 

1877, United with Seneca Association. 



Mecklenburg. 



The Baptist church in Mecklenburg was constituted in 
1 8 17. The first meeting-house was built in 1834, at a 
cost of $2000. The early records of this church have 
been lost, and diligent search has led to the discovery of 
little relating to its history previous to its uniting with 
the Seneca Association. Among its early pastors were 
Jonathan Sturdevant, Barzilla King, Seth Smalley, S. 
Wise, John Sears, J. Briggs, E. Kimball, and B. R. Swick. 

Beginning with the record of 1842, we find that Philan- 
der Shedd became pastor April 1, 1843. In 1844, the 
salary of the minister was fixed at $350, $125 to be paid 
in provision for his family. In Oct. 1844, it was voted 
that each male member of the church be required to pay 
$1.50, " considered as privilege," and that each female 
member "pay as above fifty cents, except the wives of 
the brethren." 

Hezekiah West became pastor in April, 1846, and was 
settled longer than any other pastor of this church. In 
1847, a resolution was passed discountenancing secret so- 
cieties. The church was blessed with a season of re- 
freshing in the winter of 185 1, and more than fifty con- 
verts were baptised. Elder West resigned March 6th, 
1852. He was succeeded by William Wilkins, who re- 
mained for two years. 

B. C. Townsend became pastor in June, 1855, not re- 
ceiving any stipulated salary, but to stay as long as pas- 
tor and people were suited, and to receive what the 
church could raise for his support. Samuel H. Saylor 
was licensed to preach the gospel March 31, 1855. B. C. 
Townsend resigned in 1856, and O. W. Gibbs declined a 



156 Seneca Baptist Association. 

call to the pastorate, the church at Bennettsburg being 
" unwilling to let him go." S. H. Saylor preached for a 
time as a supply. D. T. Lockwood was pastor for two 
years. D. Corey preached his first sermon as pastor Jan. 
30, 1859. H. S. Owen was elected treasurer. For three 
weeks the pastor was assisted in meetings by Benjamin 
F. Balcom, and many rejoicing converts were received as 
candidates for baptism. The salary of pastor Corey was 
increased, and the church by unanimous vote requested 
him to continue his labors with them. In Jan. 1862, the 
pastor was assisted in meetings by A. C. Mallory, and a 
number of converts expressed hope in Christ. In Jan. 
1864, H. G. Dewitt assisted the pastor, and the church 
again received many new members by baptism. On the 
7th of Feb. 1864, Mr. Corey preached his farewell sermon 
to a large and attentive congregation. The church voted 
to call C. L. Bacon to settle with them as pastor, but the 
call was not accepted. 

Samuel H. Saylor was ordained as a minister of the 
gospel April 12, 1864, by a council of which C. W. Burg- 
hardt, of Trumansburg, was Moderator, and C. E. Becker, 
of Bennettsburg, clerk. J B. Smith, of Farmer Village, 
preached the sermon ; William Sharpe, of Bennettsburg, 
gave the charge. D. Corey was recalled as pastor Aug, I, 
1864. On the last day of Dec. 1864, the clerk makes the 
following entry : " No covenant meeting to-day for the 
want of energy." A common want in too many churches, 
brother clerk. At the close of the year, the church voted 
to add brethren William Godding and C. Jeffers to the 
ministerial committee, " for the purpose of making short 
work of it." D. C. Marshall was pastor in 1866. In 
1867, the church was again blessed in a protracted 
effort, and nearly fifty candidates were baptised. 

P. D. Root became pastor June 1, 1868. J. Cormac, 
H. Becker and B. Spaulding were appointed a financial 
committee. On Sunday, Jan. 9, 1869, George B. Treman 



Seneca Baptist Association. 157 

presented to the church a donation of two hundred dol- 
lars, from Sister Mary Treman, of Ithaca, the interest on 
this sum to be used annually for the benefit of the Sun- 
day-School. H. E. Ford began work as pastor in July, 
1869. He remained only one year. C. Jeffers, Geo. 
Grant, and H. Saylor were appointed a ministerial com- 
mittee. The church was very acceptably supplied for 
several months, first by Henry Tallmadge, a young Pres- 
byterian clergyman, now in California, then by Jay R. 
Shaw, a licentiate of the Trumansburg church, and now 
pastor at Camillus. Rev'ds. Holt, Corey, and Halsey, 
also supplied the desk. A. C. Chase became pastor May 
1, 1872. The church edifice, which had been closed for 
repairs, was re-dedicated July 2, 1872, the late Dr. J. S. 
Backus, of blessed memory, preaching the opening ser- 
mon, followed by G. A. Starkweather, of Trumansburg, 
and Rev. J. Hendrick. of Havana. The sum of $2,400 
was subscribed to free the church from debt. Mr. Chase 
preached his farewell sermon April 18, 1875, and the 
church enjoyed the services of C. E. Becker, as supply. 

A. D. Abbott preached his first sermon as pastor, June 
20, 1875. The brethren of the Methodist church having 
lost their house by fire, were assured of heartfelt sympa- 
thy, and were tendered the use of the Baptist house of 
worship. H. H. Saylor, H. S. Owen and J. J. Larrison 
were appointed a financial committee. In Feb. 1877, a 
series of union meetings was held, in which the pastors 
of the several churches were assisted by A. C. Mallory, 
F. Purvis, Rev. Dr. Queal, and others. A. D. Abbott 
closed his labors with the church June 10th, 1877, "with 
an appropriate sermon and one of good advice." For 
some time, the Baptist and Methodist congregations wor- 
shiped together, the Baptists providing the house, and the 
Methodists the preacher. 

N. C. Brundage, of Chemung, began his labors as pas- 
tor April 1, 1878. In Feb. 1879, tne pastor was assisted 



158 Seneca Baptist Association. 

in a series of meetings by A. C. Mallory, of Covert, and 
several candidates were baptised. S. C. Snyder, A. God- 
ding and F. W. Treman were appointed financial com- 
mittee. Revivals which resulted in large additions to 
the church are reported in 1 839-1 841, B. R. Swick, pas- 
tor; 1851, H. West, pastor; 1859, D. Corey, pastor ; B. 
F.' Balcom assisting. 1864, D. Corey, pastor, H. G. De- 
Witt assisting; 1867, D. C. Marshall, pastor. 

The meeting-house is valued at $10,000, parsonage at 
$3,000. 

OFFICERS. 

Deacons: In July, 1846, Deacon Cleveland was ex- 
cused from acting as deacon at his own request, on ac- 
count of increasing age and infirmities. Bostwick Be- 
ment and Joseph Smith were elected Sept. 6th, 1845. 1° 
March, 1848, B. Bement and H. S. Owen were ordained 
by a council of which William McCarthy, of Farmer Vil- 
lage, was Moderator, and J. H. Morrison, of Bennets- 
burg, Clerk. Deacons A. Miller and W. Vaughn were 
delegates from Bcnnettsburg. Blackford Spaulding and 
Leroy Becker were elected Sept. 1st, i860, and ordained 
Dec. 13th, i860, by a council in which Rev'ds. Corey, 
Arkills and Dunbar participated. S. C. Snyder was chosen 
deacon May 4, 1878. 

Clerks: In Dec. 1849, A. H. Ellis was elected clerk in 
place of C. Treman, deceased. He was succeeded by N. 
M. Garrison in 1851. M. Garrison, 1853. H. S. B. Ackley, 
1857. After eighteen years of faithful service, Mr. Ackley 
resigned, and was succeeded Jan. 1, 1876, by George C. 
Jeffers, the present incumbent. 

William Bennett was the first clerk of the church and 
society. He was succeeded by Jonathan Owen, in 1832, 
J. B. Chadwick, in 1834. Other incumbents were N. 
Garrison, Minor Colegrove, Calvin Treman, George Grant, 
H. S. Owen, M. Garrison, H. S. B. Ackley, S. C. Snyder, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 159 

H. H. Sayler, S. E. Hausner, Geo. C. Jeffers. George 
Grant held the office for sixteen years. 

Trustees : The Second Baptist Church and Society of 
Hector, was organized according to the laws of the State 
of New York, July 5th, 1825. at a meeting held at the 
house of Jeremiah Ayers. James Colegrove, James 
Bump, and Sullivan D. Hubbell were elected trustees, 
At the annual meeting held in Dec. 1825, James Cole- 
grove, Benjamin Mead and Jonathan Owen were ap- 
pointed trustees. Afterward there were frequent changes 
in the board. The office was held by David Bullen, 
Joshua Hinkley, Ashbel Treman, William Godding, 
Calvin Treman, Minor Colegrove, Orin Sears, John 
Saylor, John M. Coddington, Joseph Smith, Nathaniel 
Ganson. William Georgia, Nathaniel Garrison, Jonas R. 
Neal, B. Bement, William Walworth, Daniel Brown, A. 
H. Ellis, H. H. Hewett, Elmer B. Spalding, W. B. Spald- 
ing, M. Garrison, Orin Sears, Orange Hubbell, Samuel 
Saylor, Martin Vanderzee, Jonathan Coddington, George 
B. Treman, James Cormac, Edwin Grant, Leroy Becker, 
Alex. Morgan, Harlow Becker, H. H. Saylor, Hiram T. 
Darling, Alvah Godding, Frank W. Treman, Burnham 
Reynolds, S. C. Snyder. The following have held the 
office for more than three terms : Calvin Treman, John 
Saylor, (eight terms) W. B. Spalding, H. S. Owen, G. B. 
Treman, H. Becker. 

In 1871, Harlow Becker, H. S. Owen, George Grant, J. 
J. Larrison and C. Jeffers were appointed a building and 
auditing committee, and G. B. Treman was elected treas- 
urer. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor : N. C. Brundage. Deacons : Orin Sears, W. B. 
Spalding, H. S. Owen. Clerk: George C. Jeffers. Su- 
perintendent of Sunday-School: N. C. Brundage. 



:6o 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



CARDINAL DATES. 

1817, Church constituted. 

1825 — 7 — 5,. .Incorporated as Second church in Hector. 

1834, First meeting-house built. 

1869 — 1 — 9, Gift to S. S., from Mrs. Mary Treman. 

1872—7 — 2, Meeting-house re-dedicated. 




Newfield. 



The First Baptist church of Newfield was constituted 
Jan. 20, 1820. The meetings were held at what was call- 
ed the Block school house. Among the twenty or more 
constituent members were : Elijah B. Georgia and wife, 
Benjamin Starr and wife, Andrew Robinson and wife, 
Nathan S. Steward and wife, Laurence Ammerman and 
wife, Isaac L. Smith, Lodema Ammerman, Theodosia 
Colegrove. 

Elder Benjamin Oviatt is said to have been the first 
pastor, remaining for about three years. He was a 
carpenter, very industrious, and supported his family by 
his labor, aided by donations from the church. Mr. 
Oviatt was successful in his ministry, and baptised many. 
Elder Chester Coburn was the second pastor, and accord- 
ing to the recollection of the aged members, was called a 
very good minister. Asa Cauldwell was pastor in 1834, 
and remained about two years, the church prospering 
during his labors. In 1836-37, Allen R. Beach, who not 
long since went to his rest, honored and full of years, was 
pastor. He was nominated by the Association at its 
annual session as one of the Directors of the State Con- 
vention. Then followed two short pastorates by Zelotes 
Grinnell and Alvin Bailey, students from Hamilton Theo- 
logical Institution, young men of ability and promise. 
Next in order came Elder Varanus Bemis, who was both 
pastor and school teacher. 

Previous to this time, the church listened often to the 
preaching of Elder John Bloomer, who seems never to 
have been settled as regular pastor. He was a pioneer 
guerrilla preacher, " going to war on his own charges," 



162 Seneca Baptist Association. 

taking up a new farm, and depending, for the support of 
his family, on his labor and small donations from the 
neighboring churches. He was well liked, and it is said 
that he was called upon to preach nearly all the funeral 
sermons in the town. 

Elder John Sears was pastor in 1843-44. He was an 
original thinker, a vigorous preacher, a man popular with 
the masses. During the Millenarian excitement he de- 
parted in his views of doctrine from the views of his 
denomination, but returned to them, we believe, before 
he died. The church increased in numbers and in in- 
fluence during his pastorate. 

Previous to 1842-43, the meetings of the church were 
held in school-houses, dwelling houses and barns. In 
1842, a meeting-house was built, at a cost of perhaps two 
thousand dollars. The dedicatory services were conduct- 
ed by the pastor, John Sears, Rev. Jirah D. Cole, of 
Ithaca, preaching the usual sermon. At this time, the 
church was afflicted by losing one of its most useful 
members, Deacon Charles Gillette. Rev. F. Dusenberry 
was pastor in 1845-46. He resumed his work here in 
1857, remaining for four years, and the church was re- 
vived and strengthened E. Kimball was pastor in 1847, 
D. W. Root in 1849, A. Wade in 1851. Rev. J. Gray, 
was pastor for one or two years from 1853, and after- 
ward preached as an occasional supply. Rev. F. Dusen- 
berry preached at Newfield part of the time in 1852, and 
was assisted in revival meetings by Rev. C. A. Votey, 
the church being greatly strengthened. S. Dassance 
was ordained in July, 1855. A. B. Woodworth was pas- 
tor from i860 to 1864, and his labors are held in grateful 
remembrance. A. Mintonye was pastor in 1865 ; H. H. 
Everett in 1867; D. C. Marshall in 1869. Nothing call- 
ing for special mention is recorded or reported concern- 
ing the work of the church during these short pastorates. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 163 

William Sharpe accepted a call to the pastorate in 
1873, when for years the church had been without a pas- 
tor and without preaching. Mr. Sharpe was a member of 
the missionary committee of the Association, and failing 
to find a pastor for this unpromising field, resolved to at- 
tempt the work himself. He remained at Newfield for 
four years, and the church was edified and encouraged, 
the record showing the success of his labors. At this 
time was built a handsome and convenient parsonage. 
He resigned in 1877, and was succeeded, for one year, by 
Taylor Crum. C. P. Melleney is the present pastor. 

The history of this church is a history of short pas- 
torates. " Was settled," " resigned," is nearly the sum of 
the record as it relates to the services of many of the pas- 
tors. During the fifty-nine years of its existence, the 
church has had at least twenty-four pastors, and during 
that time has often been without preaching. It is prob- 
able that seven or eight pastors remained only one year 
each. They were no sooner settled than they were un- 
settled. The results of such a policy are suicidal. 

At first the meetings of the Newfield Baptist church 
were held about two miles south of the present village, 
at a settlement called Kellogg's Corners. This hamlet 
was ambitious to surpass Newfield Village, and at one 
time seemed about to achieve the object of its ambition. 
The citizens of Newfield offered a lot for a church to the 
Baptists, but it was rejected. Some of the members lived 
nearer Kellogg's Corners and wished to build there. The 
offer was eagerly accepted by the Presbyterians. Then 
the Methodists erected a house of worship in the village. 
Finally the Baptists built a meeting-house, but in an un- 
favorable location. 

The church in Newfield has had usually a good Sun- 
day-School, which for the past few years has been under 
the direction of the present efficient Superintendent, O. 



164 Seneca Baptist Association. 

A. Seeley. The meeting-house is estimated as worth 
$1,500; the parsonage, $1,800. Self-sacrificing brethren 
have struggled here against many discouragements. As 
they toil on in the Master's service, they can rejoice that 
their labor is not in vain, and that it is neither might nor 
power, but the Spirit of the Lord which gives the victory. 

OFFICERS. 

The first deacons were Elijah B. Georgia and Benjamin 
Starr. Charles Gillette was afterward elected. Still 
later J. B. Chadwick, S. T. Brown. E. Johnston, E. W. 
Dudley, J. L. Smith, and Revo Fairbrother. List of 
Clerks: J. L. Smith, S. T. Brown, Arnos Campbell, Lans- 
ing Redner, J. W. Dean, Martin Kiper, Theodore Riding. 
Miss Nora Taber. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: C. P. Melleney. Deacon: Revo Fairbrother. 
Clerk: Miss Nora Taber. Trustees: P. Taber, Charles 
Smith, S. T. Brown. Society Clerk : John W. Dean. 
Superintendent of Sunday-School: Obed A. Seeley. 
cardinal dates. 

1820 — 1— 20 Church constituted. 

1822 United with Seneca Association. 

1842, First meeting-house built. 

1869, Period of depression. 

1873, Church revived under W. Sharpe. 

1874 '■ Parsonage built. 




North Hector. 



On the 29th day of August, 1809, a council met at the 
house of Jacob Smith, in the town of Ovid, to constitute 
a new church within the bounds of the Baptist church of 
Romulus. Micajah Starr was Moderator, Phineas Fuller- 
ton, Clerk. The churches of Ovid and Hector, First 
Milton, Second Milton and Romulus were represented. 
The council inquired into the propriety of the request of 
the petitioning brethren, and were answered by Elder 
Wisner, Bro's. D. Wisner, and Silas Beers, a committee 
from the church in Romulus. Further inquiries relative 
to their situation and their articles of faith, were answer- 
ed by Deacon Miller, N. Sutton, David Laycock and 
Isaac Miller, of the petitioners. The council voted to 
fellowship the conference as the Baptist church of Christ 
in Ovid. Elder Minor Thomas, of Ovid and Hector 
church, and Elder Thomas Tuttle, of Second Milton were 
members of the council. 

The church records are wanting before 18 12. From 
that date they are full and minute. At the second meet- 
ing of which we have record, the brothers and sisters, to 
the number of fifteen, subscribed for the cause of missions 
$3.79. The church had at this time a meeting-house, 
Samuel Simpson was deacon, and Elder Thomas was 
sent as delegate to the Cayuga Association. The Second 
church granted Elder Thomas the privilege of preaching 
one-fourth part of the time to this organization. Elder 
Lewis Lafever also preached occasionally. The covenant 
meetings were held not only at the meeting-house, but 
also at school houses, at Gideon Scott's, Abraham Bloom- 
er's, Aaron Miller's, John Goltry's, and Isaac Miller's. 



166 Seneca Baptist Association. 

In 1816, the church voted that Elder House should im- 
prove his time with them. In 1817, we find Elder Thomas 
Brown pastor of the church, preaching for them three 
quarters of the time, for the salary of $150. In March, 
1818, the church met at the house of Bro. Dunham ; part 
of the members manifested dissatisfaction with Elder 
Brown, who, it seems, had incurred the censure of a coun- 
cil. Disputes and division followed. Special meetings 
were appointed to settle the difficulties, but they would 
not stay settled. Twenty-three members who fellowship- 
ed Elder Brown were excluded. An ex-parte council 
was called, of which Minor Thomas was Moderator, S. D. 
Hubbell, Clerk. John Lewis was now pastor, preaching 
part of the time at Farmerville. In 1820, the church 
voted him forty dollars for his services. 

At a meeting held June 17th, 1820, Elder Lewis was 
appointed Moderator; "then proceeded to business, or 
to free our minds." In August, 1820, delegates were ap- 
pointed to attend the new Association, probably the 
embryonic Seneca. Month after month the grievances 
of the twenty-three excommunicated members came be- 
fore the church. John Caton was engaged, in 1820, to 
preach every third Lord's day. During this time, the ex- 
cluded members seem to have enjoyed the ministrations 
of Elder Brown. Once the disputants came together 
and signed their names to an agreement in token that 
union and harmony were restored. Before the time for 
the next meeting the breach was wider than ever. In 
1 82 1, the church sent messengers to the Seneca Associa- 
tion withdrawing from the Cayuga. 

Some of the excluded members stated that they had 
" no more fellowship for the church than for the British," 
others, that they could not endure such " cutting and 
slashing." Another advisory council was called for Nov. 
28, 1 82 1, to which Elders Comstock, King arid Sturde- 
vant received special invitations. Barzilla King was 



Seneca Baptist Association. 167 

Moderator, Lewis Porter, Clerk. The church informed 
them that the Cayuga Association had disfellowshiped 
them, and had advised them to disband, and to re-organ- 
ize as a church. The council fully concurred in the ad- 
vice given by the Association. The advice was accepted, 
and the church accordingly disbanded. 

A new church was constituted, and was recognized by 
the council as the Second Church in Covert. Elder 
Caton preached, Elder John Lewis gave the hand of fel- 
lowship. Andrew German and E. T. Tooker were elect- 
ed by the church and ordained by the council as deacons. 

Jonathan P. VVoodworth began his labors April 20, 
1822, preaching every other Lord's day, receiving fifty 
dollars for his services. In 1823, Elder Lewis is again 
pastor, and the church still a member of the Cayuga As- 
sociation. 

In Dec. 1825, Elders Robertson, Chase, and Hodge 
were present by invitation at a conference when the 
church voted that they did wrong in dissolving for the 
purpose of ridding themselves of difficulties. In March, 
1826, the church assumed the name of the First church 
in Lodi, and in October, was received as a member of the 
Seneca Association. Jacob Fisk, licentiate, was the 
pastor, and was ordained March 7, 1872, by a council of 
which John Caton was Moderator, and S. W. Ford, Scribe. 
The sermon was by Elder Abbott, from 2d Cor. 5:20. 
Elder Fisk's salary, for preaching one-half of the time, 
was $100, a comfortable house to live in, firewood, and 
horse to ride. 

U.B. Miller became pastor in July, 1829. In 1830, a 
committee was appointed to secure a site for building a 
house of worship. The church was blessed with several 
revival seasons. Special meetings were called for deliber- 
ation as to the validity of baptism (immersion) adminis- 
tered by Pedobaptist ministers, and so warm was the dis- 



1 68 Seneca Baptist Association. 

cussion that it threatened to divide the church, some in- 
dividuals saying that they " could not walk with the 
church whichever way the question was decided." It 
was proposed to drop the question. The members were 
" polled" and the proposition not sustained. At the next 
meeting the matter was dropped by majority vote. E. 
Lyon, A. German, J. Goltry, J. Benedict, F. Vantile were 
appointed standing committee on grievances, to sit with 
" closed doors," and to present complaints to the church 
if the parties could not be reconciled. Charles DeLand 
became pastor Sept. 7th, 1833, and seems to have gained 
at once the confidence and affection of his people. 

Difficulties arising between several of the sisters, the 
church found on examination that they "originated in 
unholy prejudices, a hard spirit, jealousies, evil surmis- 
ings, hard speeches, a cool, uncourteous course of con- 
duct and carriage toward each other, wrong representa- 
tions and accusations." 

In 1838, the church richly enjoyed a series of revival 
meetings, and more than fifty members were received 
after baptism. In 1839, tne church resolved to receive 
no member who was not willing to renounce the use of 
ardent spirits as a common beverage. Bowles C. Town- 
send was licensed Sept. 26, 1841. We find the first men- 
tion of a Sunday-School in the minutes for May 21, 1842, 
when N. W. Folwell, was appointed Superintendent. 

On the 19th of Nov. 1842, N. W. Folwell was granted 
license to preach, many'of the brethren saying that for a 
long time they had thought it the duty of Bro. Folwell 
to engage in the work of the Lord more publicly. 

In Dec. 1845, tne church expressed an anxious desire 
for a protracted effort, and the deacons were appointed 
to visit from house to house during the following week. 
Elder DeLand resigned in Aug. 1846, and the clerk 
was authorized to write to the editor of the Baptist 
Register stating that the church wished to obtain a pas- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 169 

tor " who is a man of God, and a man of talent." William 
Cormac was settled as pastor in Nov. 1846, coming 
from the Second church in Phelps, but was soon called 
to Trumansburg. The church resolved that they could 
not hold any fellowship with Odd Fellowship. Ben- 
jamin Warren became pastor in May, 1848. In 1849, 
Bro. Gray who had been a Methodist minister, was re- 
ceived as a member and was licensed to preach. Loren 
Wade was pastor for one year. Isaac Easterbrooks be- 
came pastor May 17th, 1852. In 1852, the resolution in 
opposition to the society of Odd Fellows was rescinded. 
Jacob Grant settled with the church in June, 1854, and 
remained until his death. Philo Griffis became pastor in 
April, 1856. The church instructed a committee to pro- 
cure a suitable tomb-stone to mark the grave of Elder 
Grant. 

Rev. S. V. Marsh, licentiate of the Romulus church, 
came to Lodi Sept. 18, 1858, when the church had 
been without a pastor for several months. His pastorate 
seems to have been a remarkably pleasant one. In the 
list of deacons we recognize the familiar name of Andrew 
Miller. Jeremiah Van Vleet was collector, Garrett P. 
Clawson, treasurer. John Halliday became pastor in 
1863, and was dismissed by letter in 1865. He was suc- 
ceeded by H. S. Card, during whose pastorate the new 
meeting-house was built at North Hector. This action 
was deeply regretted by a few of the members, but re- 
ceived the hearty approbation of the majority. George 
Miller, Thomas Miller, George Robinson, Riley Bramble 
and Garrett Clawson were appointed committee on plan ; 
N. Hinkley to circulate a subscription, to be prepared by 
D. LaTourrette and G. Robinson. The old meeting-- 

o 

house and site were sold, the sheds removed. The breth- 
ren of the Peach Orchard church, now a feeble folk, were 
invited to unite with this church as a body. 



170 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Daniel Corey began his pastorate, April 1, 1869. The 
next year the church reports thirty-two baptisms. C. 
Wardner became pastor in May, 1872, and was succeed- 
ed in May, 1877, by William N. Tower, the present pas- 
tor. During the later years of its history, this church 
has been especially fortunate in its choice of pastors, and 
the pastors have been equally blessed in winning the con- 
fidence, and securing the co-operation of the people. 

During Elder Wardner's pastorate, in the summer of 
1876, the village of North Hector was visited by a torna- 
do which unroofed the Baptist church, destroyed or 
shattered many buildings, uprooted thousands of fruit 
trees, and left desolation in its path. In one wood-lot of 
an hundred acres, every tree was blown down. Hon. A. 
V. MeKeel saw one-third of his orchard uprooted. Among 
the principal sufferers were Mrs. E. Ingersol, J. E. Hull, 
A. L. Snyder, A. Moore and Mrs. Betsey Budd. The 
rain fell in torrents, and the roads were for a time im- 
passable. The steeple of the Baptist church was hurled 
across the street, striking the house owned by Mr. W. 
Woodford. The bell struck in the middle of the road, 
but strange to relate, although the frame was broken in 
pieces, the bell itself was uninjured. The church had 
just succeeded in freeing themselves from debt, and were 
at first discouraged, but rallied bravely to the work of re- 
pairing their church edifice. 

In Dec. 1876, George Lamereaux was elected treasurer, 
George Miller and Peter Clawson were appointed com- 
mittee on finance. In 1877, Garrett Clawson, Thomas 
Miller and George Lamereaux were appointed a com- 
mittee to select a parsonage, and purchased the house 
formerly owned by Dr. George King. The church has 
now a well built meeting-house, and an excellent parson- 
age. At a meeting held Oct. 20, 1877, the name Lodi 
was dropped, and North Hector substituted. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 171 

officers. 

Deacon Abraham Miller appears to have been one of 
the constituent members of the church. Samuel Simp- 
son was chosen deacon before 18 12. Robert Curry was 
elected Sept. 10, 1813, at a meeting held at the house of 
Gideon Scott. Andrew German and Eliphalet T. Tooker 
were elected Jan. 15, 1820. Alexander Lyon, July 15, 
1826, in place of E. T. Tooker dismissed by letter. David 
Clement, May 21, 1836, to fill the place of A, German, 
removed from the church. In 1845, Deacon Clement re- 
moved to Farmer Village, and Nathan Hinckley was 
chosen in his stead. John DeMott Miller was elected 
deacon, March 15, 1851. Robert Van Vleet, Feb. 18, 
i860. Ford Miller, and George Robinson, Feb. 26 1870. 
Deacon Nathan Hinckley died June 1, 1870. Deacon 
Robert F. Van Vleet died Feb. 20, 1871, aged sixty years. 
In July, 1874, Deacon Andrew Miller was dismissed to 
unite with the church in Farmer Village. Deacon Alex- 
ander Lyon died in 1850 

The following list gives names of clerks with date of 
election : 

Joseph Benedict, June 19, 1S13; James Randall, 1820; 
Andrew German, 1826; Frederic Van Tuyl, 1832; John 
Tunison, 1836; Garrett B. Clawson, 1837; E. P. Payne, 
1837; John DeMott Miller, 1838; William Carle, 1851 ; 
Garrett Clawson, 1863; Asa Van Vleet, 1873. 

Trustees : The First Baptist church of Lodi was legal- 
ly incorporated Nov. 15, 1830. Joseph Benedict, James 
Miller, Garrett Clawson, Alex. Lyon, Peter Clawson, An- 
drew German, and John Goltry were elected trustees. 
The office was held afterward by John Clark, Purdy 
Budd, Lewis Benedict, Nathan Hinckley, Jeremiah Van- 
Vleet, Lemuel Lamereaux, George Meddic, Isaac Claw- 
son, Garrett P. Clawson, J. DeMott Miller, Robert Van- 
Vleet, Riley Bramble, Abram SJaght, Absalom Foster, 



172 Seneca Baptist Association. 

George Robinson, George Fausette, Thomas Miller, 
George Lamereaux, William La Tourrette, j-jGilbert 
Lamereaux, Garrett B. Clawson, S. V. R. Bramble, Wil- 
liam Lamereaux, Daniel La Tourrette, Henry Lamereaux, 
J). C. Bramble, Parker W. Halsey, George Evarts, Ford 
Miller, Peter Easterbrooks, John Budd, Emmet Hull, 
Warren L. Miller. At a meeting held Oct. 20, 1877, the 
church organized under the new State law as the North 
Hector Baptist church, and elected the present board of 
trustees. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 
Pastor: William N. Tower. Deacons: Ford L. Miller, 
George R. Robinson. Clerk : Asa Van Vleet. Trustees : 
Thomas Miller, Ford Miller, William LaTourrette, George 
Lamereaux, William Lamereaux, James S. Ball. Treas- 
urer: Geo. Lamereaux. Chorister: William H. Lamer- 
eaux. Organist : Miss Carrie Squires. Superintendent 
Sunday-School : Hermon Van Vleet ; Assistant : Ford 
L. Miller. Secretary : Asa Van Vleet. Treasurer : Geo. 
Evarts. Organist : Miss Cora Miller. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1809—8 — 29, Constituted as First Ovid church. 

i8io( circ) First Meeting-house built. 

1 81&, Elder Brown's secession. 

1821 — 9 — 5, Unites with Seneca Association . 

1821— 11— 28, Church disbands. 

1821 — 11 — 28, Reorganized as Second Covert church. 

1826 — 3, Name changed to First Lodi. 

1 826, Re-unites with Seneca Association. 

1830 — 11 — 15, : Church legally incorporated. 

1830, . . Alien Immersion controversy. 

1831, First meeting-house built. 

1866, .4 New meeting-house at North Hector. 

I 876, ^ The tornado. 

l8 77> » Parsonage bought. 

1877 — 10 — 20, Name changed to North Hector. 

J 877 — 10 — 20, Re-organization under new trustee law. 



Ovid— Scott's Corners. 



A number of Baptist brethren of the towns of Ovid 
and Romulus, met at the house of Mrs. Kezia Scott, in 
Ovid, Dec. 8, 1827, and organized the Ovid Baptist Con- 
ference. These brethren had been in the habit of as- 
sembling at the houses of Kezia Scott, Jeremiah Scott, 
and Abram Bloomer. Their meetings were for prayer, 
the singing of hymns, and exhortation after the apostolic 
method. Previous to their formal organization, they had 
prepared articles of faith, and a covenant which, with the 
omission of a single sentence, is the covenant of the Ovid 
church to-day. 

Abram Bloomer and Hevelin Ward were chosen dea- 
cons, and Joseph Dunlap was appointed permanent clerk. 
On the 19th of Feb. 1828, a council assembled at the 
house of Sister Scott. The members of the conference 
were recognized as a regular Baptist church, Elder Holt 
preaching the sermon, Elder Fisk offering the hand of 
fellowship, Elder Peter R. Roberts giving the charge to 
the church. 

The church had seventeen constituent members : Ed- 
ward Hodge, Abraham Bloomer, Sr., William Everett, 
Hevelin Ward, A. M. Williams, Joseph Dunlap, Kezia 
Scott, Betsey B. Rowley, Phoebe Grant, Phoebe Scott, 
Lucinda Lewis, Sarah Hodge, Agnes Dunlap, Abigail 
Newbury, Sarah Everett, Althea Fingley, Ann Sayre. 
All of them during their lives remained firm in their faith, 
and true to their covenant. Four of the six male mem- 
bers, and probably at least seven of the females had 
formerly belonged to the church at Farmerville. No 
mention is made of this fact in the written histories of 



174 Seneca Baptist Association. 

this church, nor in the regular records of the mother 
church ; but this is explained by the fact that the mem- 
bers of the Ovid conference did not sympathize with that 
division of the church at Farmerville, which was after- 
ward recognized by a council as the church de jure. The 
Ovid church was born of the convulsion which split the 
Farmer Village church asunder. It is a daughter of the 
last named church, and a grand-daughter of the church 
in Covert. 

Sister Kezia Scott was a "Mother in Israel" to the 
Ovid church. It was organized in her house ; it was 
recognized by a council assembling at her house ; and 
here were held many of its early meetings. As Paul 
wrote : " Greet Priscilla and Acquila, - - - likewise the 
church that is in their house ! " so the message might 
well have been sent by Elder Abbott or Elder Woolsey, 
"Greet Kezia, likewise the church that is in her house ! " 
She .was the widow of Gideon Scott, whose name the 
church also holds in grateful remembrance. At her 
death, Sister Kezia Scott bequeathed five hundred dollars 
to aid in purchasing a parsonage. The church added to this 
one hundred and seventy-five dollars, raised by equality, 
and thus secured a home for its minister. 

The first pastor of the church was Edward Hodge, who 
for a short time had been pastor at Farmer Village. The 
meetings were held in private houses. The church was 
received as a member of the Seneca Association in 1828. 
The first deacons were elected oxAy pro tempore. In 1832, 
Abram Bloomer, Jr., and Joseph Dunlap were elected 
deacons to serve during life or good behavior. They 
were ordained by a council which included among its 
members Elders Brown, of Romulus, Miller, of Lodi, 
Woolsey, of Farmerville, and Abbott, of Trumansburg. 

Elder Hodge, after eight years of faithful labor, re- 
moved to Michigan, and was succeeded by William G. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 175 

Wisner, who remained four years, and baptised fifty-two 
believers. He was succeeded by that good man Lewis 
Ransted. Elder Votey states that he was as much be- 
loved by the Ovid church as any pastor it ever had. He 
baptised thirty-nine in three years, Elder Sheardown as- 
sisting him in a protracted meeting. He was followed 
by Hiram B. Fuller, a minister respected by all. Benja- 
min Warren became the faithful under-shepherd of this 
people, in 1845, remaining three years. Jonathan Ketchum 
was pastor for six months, when he was compelled by ill- 
health to resign. David Taylor was then pastor for four 
years, and is remembered as a faithful laborer. Obed 
Montague was the next pastor remaining for two years. 
He was a Baptist Boanerges. Charles A. Votey became 
pastor Sept. 23, 1855, and the Master especially blessed 
his labors. Seventy-seven members were received by 
baptism. 

According to the testimony of Rev. C. A. Votey, the 
Ovid church was in 1855, " a good, sound, working band." 
The majority of the members were mature and experi- 
enced Christians, well instructed in the truth, and ready 
to work for the Master. The prosperity of the church 
was largely due to the character and influence of its lead- 
ing members — men and women of power in the com- 
munity. In the glorious revival in 1856, the members 
were at work like a hive of bees. This was only a part 
of the great work which swept through the country be- 
tween the lakes. Almost every church was revived, and 
multitudes were converted. Ovid caught the fire from 
Farmer Village, where Rev. H. G. Dewitt had been la- 
boring with grand success. The meetings continued 
without interruption for five weeks, the church and the 
pastor doing the work. The church enjoyed another 
revival season in 1862, when the pastor received efficient 
aid from Rev. A. C, Mallory. The ordinance of baptism 



176 Seneca Baptist Association. 

was always administered at Sheldrake, in the clear wa- 
ters of the beautiful Cayuga. 

Pastor Votey was succeeded by Rev. F. D. Fenner. 
who had just graduated from the Rochester Theological 
Seminary, and was ordained as pastor of this church. He 
remained for three years and six months. M. M. Everts 
was then pastor for two years. He was succeeded by N. 
B. H. Gardner who remained for two years, resigning 
Oct. 10, 1 87 1. During his second year, the church was 
greatly revived, and forty-two members were received by 
baptism. He was followed Feb. 21, 1872, by A. W. 
Mettler, for two years. A season of dearth succeeded 
one of spiritual showers. In 1874, F. D. Fenner was 
again called to the pastorate, the only pastor whom the 
church has thus honored. He remained for another 
term of four years, being ably assisted in church and 
Sunday-School work by his wife, Mrs. M. A. G. Fenner. 
In 1878, he removed to West Somerset, Niagara Co., and 
was succeeded by Rev. Enos Perry, who served the church 
for part of two years. Rev. A. J. Brown, the present pas- 
tor, was ordained May 7th, 1879, Rev. J. J. Phelps, of 
Trumansburg, preaching the ordination sermon. 

Daniel, son of Gideon and Kezia Scott was for many 
years a faithful and zealous Christian worker here. The 
church lost one of its constituent members and most 
earnest laborers, by the death of Deacon Joseph Dun- 
lap, Jan. 6, 1870. The same year, removed to another 
field of labor Deacon Abram Bloomer, also one of the 
constituent members of the church. 

The most fruitful revivals were in 1838, W. G. Wisner, 
pastor; 1S41, L. Ransted, pastor, T. S. Sheardown, as- 
sisting ; 1859, C A. Votey, pastor : 1871, N. B. H. Gardner, 
pastor. 

The first house of worship was built in 1830. This 
was repaired and enlarged in 1857, while C. A. Votey was 
pastor, and was re-dedicated March 2, 1858. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 177 

officers. 

Abram Bloomer and Hevelin Ward were elected dea- 
cons, Feb. 23, 1828; Joseph Dunlap, Feb. 25, 1832; S. L. 
Barry, Feb. 2y, 1864; John Purcell, Feb. 26, 1870; John 
L. Bloomer, July 23, 1870. Deacons Barry, Purcell and 
Bloomer were ordained Aug. 14, 1870. Deacon J. L. 
Bloomer is grandson and name-sake of Elder John Lewis, 
one of the patriarchs of the Seneca Association. 

Three members have been licensed to preach : 

William Cornell, in 1856; William Pack, date not 
given; T. Talmadge Van Doren, Oct. 25, 1873. 

The church has had but three clerks : Joseph Dunlap, 
Sr., 1827-1855; S. L. Barry, 1S55-1875 ; Joseph Dunlap, 
Jr., 1875. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: A. J. Brown. Deacons: S. L. Barry, John 
Purcell, John L. Bloomer. Clerk of church and Society : 
Joseph Dunlap. Superintendent of Sunday-School: Jo- 
seph Dunlap. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1827 — 12 — 8, Conference formed. 

1828 — 2 — 19 Church recognized. 

1828, Unites with Seneca Association. 

1830, First meeting-house built. 

1849 Parsonage purchased. 

1857, House repaired and enlarged. 



Ovid Village. 



As. early as 1208, Elder Caton, the Baptist pioneer 
preacher, had monthly appointments at the old Court- 
House at Ovid. Elder Wisner, pastor at Scott's Corners 
1836-39, also held occasional services here. After an in- 
terval of nearly twenty years, C A. Votey, of Scott's 
Corners, in 1858, appointed meetings at the Court-House 
once in two weeks. At a meeting held at the house of 
H. H. Bennett, April 28, 1859, D. D. Scott was chosen 
Moderator, Gordon Dunlap, Clerk, and the brethren re- 
solved to apply for recognition as a church. H. H. Ben- 
nett was elected deacon. A council convened, May 5th, 
wh*^ the church was recognized, and Horace H. Bennett 
was ordained deacon, Rev'ds. Harris, Marshall, Weaver, 
West, Votey, Dusenberry and Irving taking part in the 
services. 

In December, 1 861, H. G. Dewitt, whose labors in the 
Association had been already so richly blessed, began a 
series of meetings in Ovid. The church was revived, 
many were converted. At the next Association, the 
church reports thirty-five baptisms, and more than twice 
as many members as the year before. In February, 1862, 
C. V. D. Cornell was chosen Superintendent of the Sun- 
day-School, Dr. J. Stuart, assistant. Services were held 
in the new lecture room in Dec. 1862. 

C. A. Votey was succeeded by L. Ransted, in Jan. 
1863, and the church adopted a series of resolutions testi- 
fying their gratitude to the retiring pastor, and their ap- 
preciation of his welcome, arduous, and fruitful labors. 
Following the great revival, came a period of depression. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 179 

Elder Ransted was succeeded by D. Corey, in 1865, and 
he. was followed by Granville Gates, from Caroline. 

The following resolution, adopted Oct. 12, 1866, the 
only one on record relating to the loss of a lay member, 
is a deserved tribute to one to whose benevolence the 
church was chiefly indebted for a place of worship, and a 
parsonage. 

" Resolved, that we feel peculiarly afflicted in the 
death of our sister and Mother in Israel, Hester Kinne, 
[ widow of Elijah Kinne ] whose strong faith and Christ- 
ian zeal and energy have long encouraged and inspired 
our hearts, and whose liberality, always abundant in the 
Lord's service, has enabled us to erect our house of wor- 
ship and provided an excellent home for our pastor." 

Peter Goo began his work as pastor April 1, 1869. At, 
the first covenant meeting following, only five were pres- 
ent. " A small beginning," writes the pastor, " but if the 
Lord prospers we may hope for an increase." Elder Goo 
resigned in 1871, and for some time the church was with- 
out a pastor. In 1873, T. Talmadge Van Doren, a' 
student, served for a time as a supply, and his labors were : 
highly appreciated. 

John E. McLallen, of Trumansburg, was called to the 
pastorate April 5th, 1874. As the church had been without 
a regular pastor for three years, its members had become 
scattered and discouraged, and the outlook was unpromis- 
ing. The church received a grant of two hundred dollars 
from the Baptist State Convention. Pastor McLaJlen la- 
bored earnestly and faithfully for one year and five 
months, when he resigned, Aug. 29th, 1875. 

Lynn B. Albert, coming to Ovid with C. W. Brooks to 
assist in a meeting of days, remained in charge of the 
church as pastor during part of 1868, and resumed his 
work here in June, 



180 Seneca Baptist Association. 

officers. 

Deacons: Horace H. Bennett was the first deacon; 
and to his faithful labors the church was indebted in part 
for its early prosperity. C. V. D. Cornell was elected 
Feb. 9th, 1862, and was ordained at a ministers confer- 
ence held at Ovid Village, May 27th, 1862. Rev. C. L. 
Bacon preaching the sermon. In 1869, Aaron Wilson 
and H. Lamereaux were requested to serve the church as 
deacons. S. S. Salyer and H. Lamereaux were elected 
May 24, 1874. 

Clerks: Gordon Dunlap, elected 1859; C. V. D.Cor- 
nell, 1861 ; G. Dunlap, second term, 1867; S. S. Salyer, 
George V. Flagg, (now of Norwich, Chenango Co.) 1873 ; 
S. S. Salyer, second term 1874, H. Lamereaux. 

The list of trustees includes the names of Aaron Wil- 
son, Gordon Dunlap, Jacob Stewart, Andrew Dunlap, 
Artemas Sutton, William Kinne, Hiram Lamereaux, 
Charles Warne, Comfort Elwell, George Brown, Dr. S. 
Cole. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: Lynn B. Albert, licentiate. Deacons: H. 
Lamereaux, S. S. Salyer. Clerk and Treasurer: H. 
Lamereaux, Trustees: Aaron Wilson, Comfort Elwell, 
Franklin Brown. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1820, First Baptist preachers. 

1859 — 4 — 28, Conference formed. 

1859 — 5 — 5» Church recognized. 

1859 — IO — 5, Unites with Seneca Association. 

1862, Meeting-house built. 

1866. Death of Mrs. Hester Kinne. 

1870, Period of depression. 

! 874, Revival of church services. 



Romulus 



The Romulus Baptist church was constituted in 1795, 
the first organized body of believers between the lakes 
Cayuga and Seneca to take the Baptist name. The church 
had seven constituent members, and their first meeting 
was held in a log house, not far from the spot where now 
stands the residence of the late Dr. N. W. Folwell. The 
early records of this church unfortunately have been de- 
stroyed or lost, and we are indebted to tradition, or to the 
memory of the older members, for many of the items of 
Interest which have been preserved. 

The Romulus church was one of the constituent mem- 
bers of the Chemung Association in 1796, united with the 
Cayuga in 1804, at its third session, resumed its member- 
ship with Chemung in 181 3, was once more dismissed in 
1820, to aid in organizing the Association which received 
the name of Seneca. 

Among the early members, were Elijah Abbott, John 
Green, John Finton, Samuel Blaine, William W. Folwell, 
Barnabas Swarthout, Mahlon Bainbridge, Mrs. John 
Sayre, Mrs. Swarthout, Mrs. Blaine, Mrs. Bainbridge, 
Mrs. Denton. 

The early records of the church at Chemung refer, in 
1792, to brethren at Apple Orchard, or Romulus. Not 
far from that time, James Finch and Mary Stevens were 
baptised ''at Apple Orchard," perhaps as members of the 
church at Chemung. 

The first pastor at Romulus was Peter Bainbridge, who 
afterward removed to Philadelphia, and experienced 
financial disaster. He was Moderator and preacher at 



1 82 Seneca Baptist Association. 

the Chemung Association in 1796. In 1797, the Romu- 
lus church had fourteen members ; 1802, sixty-eight. In 
1787, Cyrus Sutton was delegate to the Chemung As- 
sociation. Elder Jehiel Wisner was pastor in 1802, and 
the messengers were : Samuel Simpson, William Brewster, 
Mahlon Bainbridge, N. Sutton, Aaron Miller. The mes- 
sengers in 181 3 were Elder Caton, and Isaiah Butler, 
licentiate, who labored in Bradford Co. Pa., about 1817- 
18. Other delegates before 1820, were Silas Beers, Dea- 
cons Green and Finton, Solomon Moore. 

John Caton became pastor in 1808. He was a soldier 
of the Revolution, a member of Washington's body 
guard, and in his time one of the most noted characters of 
Seneca County. In 18 19, a sister related her experience, 
when the church "voted satisfied, and that she stand 
propounded until our next church meeting." July 1, 1820, 
the church " voted to receive Bro. Jas. C. Barrett by 
letter, also called on him to use his gift in preaching 
the gospel for the church and congregation for one year." 
He remained until Oct. 16, 1821. At a meeting held 
Feb. 21, 1822, Elder Davis was Moderator. There is a 
hiatus in the record from 1822 to 1826. John Cooper was 
pastor as early as 1823. 

John C. Holt, having graduated at Hamilton in June, 
was ordained as pastor at Romulus, Oct. 20, 1826, with 
the following order of services : Sermon. Alfred Bennett ; 
prayer, E. W. Martin, of Geneva ; charge, A. Bennett; 
hand of fellowship, Elder Wall, of Tyrone ; address to 
church, Edward Hodge, of Ovid ; prayer by Elder Fisk. 
Elder William W. Brown was called to be pastor, June 
i, 1828. During his five years of service, eighty-four 
were added to the church by baptism. In 1832, the 
church made formal record of their " declaration of faith 
and practice," which is in substance that usually adopted 
by Baptist churches. The 17th article, afterward expung- 
ed, reads : 



Seneca Baptist Association. 183 

"We judge it our indispensable duty to keep the se- 
crets of the church, and not divulge to any, what is done 
in church meetings, for the church in this respect as well 
as others, is to be a garden enclosed, a spring shut up, a 
fountain sealed. Canticles, 4:12 " . 

The articles of faith were probably expurgated about 
the time of the great anti-masonic excitement. 

In Sept. 1833, it again became necessary to appoint a 
committee to " look out a minister; " and Elder Nathan- 
iel Otis became pastor early in 1834. In May, 1836, 
Samuel M. Bainbridge was recommended by the church 
to enter the Institution at Hamilton. The record of 
Nov. 4, 1837, reads: " It is now a refreshing time with us 
from the presence of the Lord. Converts are multiplied, 
Christians are made to rejoice." Elder Otis' ministry 
was blessed with the revival spirit. The ancient record 
of social and covenant meetings is fragrant with memori- 
als of prayer and praise. More than eighty were baptised 
during his pastorate. He resigned April 7, 1838. The 
desk was filled for a time by S. M. Bainbridge. The 
clerk writes : " We have at this time no settled minister. 
May it be the Lord's will to send us a man of much 
piety, humility, meekness, patience, and full of the Holy 
Ghost." " It would be indeed a happy union,'' says L. J. 
Gross, " for a pastor, having these requirements named, to 
labor with a church whose membership was noted for 
their ' piety, humility, meekness, patience,' and who were 
also ' full of the Holy Ghost.' But the millenium has 
not yet arrived." 

C. G. Carpenter succeeded Elder Otis, and the record 
of his pastorate has alternate lights and shadows. At 
one time the church was " cold and stupid," then again 
the flame of sacred love burns brightly upon the altar of 
consecration. Elder Carpenter resigned in 1841. Elder 
U. B. Miller preached for some months as a supply, and 
held revival meetings, when the spiritual strength of the 



184 Senfxa Baptist Association. 

church was renewed. David Wright was pastor for four 
years. The records show no extensive revivals, but he is 
remembered as one who was faithful. He was succeed- 
ed by Obed Sperry, who remained for less than two years. 

Isaac Fargo became pastor in May, 1849, an ^ n ^ s ^ a " 
bors were greatly blessed. He was a man " full of faith 
and of the Holy Ghost." Ninety-two were added to the 
church by baptism. The meeting-house was re-built at 
an expense of $2,500. Elder Fargo baptised nearly one 
hundred converts, and the church has ever looked back 
to this period as its golden age. At this time John 
Griffith, B. S. McLafferty and S. V. Marsh were licensed. 
Two comparatively short pastorates followed, by J. S. 
Webber, and Peter Irving. Mr. Irving was permitted to 
baptise fifty believers. 

M. W 7 . Homes was the pastor next in succession, his 
labors continuing from i860 to 1867. Notwithstanding 
the fact that the minds of the people were excited and 
absorbed by the startling events of the war, the church 
and its interests were not neglected. God's people 
enjoyed two seasons of refreshing, and seventy-nine 
happy converts were buried with Christ in baptism. 
D. D. Owen was the next pastor, continuing his minis- 
terial labors for five years. He was ordained here in 
1867, had great influence with the people, and his resig- 
nation was accepted with regret by all. George T. Mc- 
Nair accepted a call to the pastorate in March, 1873, and 
remained for two years, showing himself to be " a work- 
man that needeth not to be ashamed." In June, 1875, 
Louis J. Gross, who had been acting pastor in 1872, was 
again engaged to supply the pulpit. He was called as pas- 
tor, Jan. 1, 1876, and ordained March 7th. Dr. J. B. Smith 
preaching the ordination sermon. The Romulus church 
has always given with liberal hand to the various benevo- 
lent organizations of the denomination. The aggregate 
contributions amounting to several thousand dollars. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 185 

The land on which the church stands was donated to 
the society by Mr. W. W. Folwell. The lot for a parson- 
age was given by Mrs. Joseph Hunt, and the parsonage, 
was built in 1855, costing $1,400. 

Folwell and Bainbridge are two honored names in the 
Romulus church. When the Seneca Association was con- 
stituted, in 1822, it is said that William Watts Folwell, of 
Brown University, was the only college graduate among 
the delegates. His diploma, signed by Jonathan Maxcy 
and Benjamin West, bears date 1792. Isaac Watts is 
numbered among the ancestors of the Folwell family, and 
this venerated name is handed down from one generation 
to another. The name of Dr. N. W. Folwell, son of William 
W., often recurs as one examines the record of the church 
in Romulus. Not only his prayers and tears, but his pro- 
perty and his time were for her; and it was with singular 
appropriateness that his pastor chose as his funeral text, 
the words of the Psalmist : " Help Lord, for the godly 
man ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among the chil- 
dren of men ! " ' President W r illiam W. Folwell, of the,. 
State University of Minnesota, and Dr. Mahlon B. Fol- 
well, of Buffalo, are sons of Gen. Thomas J. Folwell,. 
and grandsons of the graduate of Brown University. 
John Bainbridge was the first clerk, and one of the first, 
deacons of the church. His son, Cyrus Bainbridge was 
also a deacon, whose son Samuel, was a Baptist minister. 
William Folwell Bainbridge, long pastor at Providence, 
Rhode Island, where he succeeded Dr. Heman Lincoln, 
was the son of Samuel M. During his ten years pastorate 
at Providence, 460 members were added to the church. 

The Romulus Baptist church is the oldest church or- 
ganization in the county of Seneca, and has been noted 
for its activity in works of benevolence, and for the peace 
and harmony which have prevailed in its councils. May 
its prosperity be long continued, and its last days be its 
best days ! 



1 86 Seneca Baptist Association. 

officers. 

Deacons : John Finton, John Bainbridge, John Green, 
were among the first deacons ; they were followed by 
Abner Carey, Samuel Blaine, and Elijah Abbott, elected 
Dec. i, 1827, ordained Feb. 7, 1828, Elder Hodge preach- 
ing the ordination sermon ; Cyrus Bainbridge and Simon 
S. Salyer, Jan. 19, 1839; Clement Leach and Ebenezer 
Gardner, Feb. 2, 1856; Hiram L. Banker, Aug. 2, 1856; 
Alexander Baldridge, and Thomas Marsh, May 14, 1864. 

Licentiates: James C. Barrett, July 1, 1820; S. M. 
Bainbridge, May 7, 1836; E. Gardner, Oct. 3, 1838; B. 
S. McLafTerty and John Griffith, Aug. 7, 1852; S. V. 
Marsh, Sept. 6, 1856; Thomas Marsh, Jan. 7, i860. 

Clerks: John Bainbridge, 1818 ; John Geddes, 1830; 
John Bainbridge, 1830-35 ; S. M. Bainbridge. 1835 ; 
Henry Swan, 1836-50; E. Gardner, 1850-69; William 
Bumpus, 1869-77; William Bainbridge, 1877; W. H. 
Clarkson, 1878; Jason Van Court, 1879. 

The only trustees of whom we find record in the church 
book, are W. W. Folwell and John Geddes, 1828 ; Stephen 
Miller, 1829; Cyrus Bainbridge, John Sayre, Jr., John 
Blaine, J. Van Vleet, E. Sayre, H. Miller, 1830. 

Samuel Blain was treasurer in 1828; Halsey P. Hal~« 
lock collector 1870. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: Louis J. Gross. Deacons: Thomas Marsh, 
Montgomery Updike, William Bumpus. Clerk: Jason 
Van Court. Trustees : W T illiam Bainbridge, Johnson Up- 
dike, Halsey P. Hallock, Andrew Smith, I. Benjamin. 
Treasurer : Wm. Bainbridge. Chorister ; Alton Van- 
Horn. Sexton : D. Benjamin. S. S. officers. Superin- 
tendent : Jason Van Court. Assistant : Thomas Marsh. 
Treasurer: Miss Kate Roan. Secretary: Julian Russell. 
Librarian: M. Updike. Chorister: Mrs. L. J. Gross. 
Woman's Missionary Society, President : Mrs. E. Bain- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 187 

bridge. Vice-President: Mrs. L. J. Gross. Secretary: 
Miss Allie Folwell. Treasurer: Miss Kate Roan. 
CARDINAL DATES. 

1795, Church Constituted. 

1796, Constituent member of Chemung Association. 

1 804, U nites with Cayuga Association. 

1813, Re-unites with Chemung Association. 

1 .821 — 9 — 5, Constituent member of Seneca Association. 

1849, Meeting-house re-built. 

1852, Great Revival, I. Fargo, pastor. 

1856, Parsonage built. 

1879—2—4 Death of Dr. N. W. Folwell. 





~2y£ffiWri 



TRUMANSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH. 



REV, J, h PHELPS, PASTOR, 



[ftflgfave'd for this \Vofk, from fhofo., by W, L. HAix.j 



Trumansburg. 



The Trumansburg Baptist church was constituted Aug. 
26, 1819, as the Second Baptist church of Ulysses. The 
constituent members were : Elder Oliver C. Comstock, 
Joshua Gee, Josiah Cleveland, Frederick Burlew, Jonathan 
Updike, Wilson Hoig, Stephen Head, William Mead, 
Reuben Updike, Samuel Vann, Jacob Bryan, William 
Burlew, Jilo. P. Cleveland, Peleg Tanner, Cath. Burlew, 
Jane Gee, Martha Bryan, Fanny Cleveland, Rebecca 
Burlew, Lydia Burlew, Cynthia Tanner, Julia Cleveland, 
Mehitable Hoig, Maria Gee, Anna Daggett, Mehitable 
Cleveland. 

The meeting for organization was held at the log meet- 
ing-house, in the Updike settlement, some three miles 
south of Trumansburg. The organization was the result 
of revival meetings held in Trumansburg by Dr. 0. C. 
Comstock. For five years, the church met for worship 
alternately at the log meeting-house, and at Trumans- 
burg. In the village, they worshiped in Deacon John 
McLallen's barn, and in the school-house. On the 18th 
of August, 1821, Rev. O. C. Comstock, Deacons Ward, 
Cleveland, Gregory and Allen Pease were appointed a 
committee to meet with the Seneca Association at 
Covert. 

In 1823, the church having resolved to erect a new 
house of worship, some favored building not far from the 
log meeting house, others wished to build in the village. 
The male members were requested to sign their names 
on the clerk's book in one of two parallel columns, " accord- 
ing as they favored the one place or the other," and on 



T90 Seneca Baptist Association. 

that page their signatures may be seen to-day, the one 
list headed by Daniel Barto and Daniel B. Ayers, the 
other by Enos Vankirk and Joshua Gee. The vote stood 
twenty-two to twelve, in favor of Trumansburg. The 
record is in the handwriting of Dr. O. C. Comstock. 

On the 25th of February, 1824, the church met at 
brother John Rudy's, and voted to give Elder O. C. 
Comstock eighty dollars for his last years services in the 
ministry. At the end of each year, a committee was ap- 
pointed " to wait on our beloved Elder O. C. Comstock 
and to request him to continue his labors with us." In 
April, 1826, the pastor informed the church, at a cov- 
enant meeting, that he had examined Lucinda Brewer 
respecting her faith in Christ, and had administered to 
her the ordinance of baptism. By resolution she was re- 
ceived into full fellowship and communion. In June, 
[826, Elder Nathaniel Kendrick, agent of the Hamilton 
Theological Seminary, came to solicit funds or grain to 
support the boarding-house of this institution. He was 
not permitted to go away empty handed. The church 
meetings were well attended. Once, on inquiry, they 
found " an agreeable and sentimental union ; " again, " a 
sure though unsteady progress." Elder Comstock in- 
formed the church that it would be impossible for him to 
remain with them, when Deacons Cleveland and Gregory 
were appointed a committee to wait on him and express 
the satisfaction and gratitude with which the church had 
enjoyed his labors. During his pastorate, the church 
grew from twenty-six to one hundred-eight members, and 
built a commodious house of worship. 

Elder Abbott began his ministrations in April, 1827. 
The Masonic excitement was at its height, and the fol- 
lowing resolution was adopted : 

" That we fellowship all Masonic brethren who will not 
meet with lodges of speculative Free Masons, or pay any 
money in consequence of Masonic obligations." 



Seneca Baptist Association. 191 

In June, 183 1, it was resolved to hold a four days 
meeting, and P. H. Thompson, Simeon Pease, D. B. 
Ayers, James McLallen and Thomas Post, were appoint- 
ed a committee of arrangements. 

The church had its share of the discord which is some- 
times the result of harmony. A few- of the brethren felt 
aggrieved at hearing instrumental music in the meeting- 
house, so it was agreed that " the bass viol might be con- 
tinued for two months longer ; after that time it must 
not be introduced in the church." Brothers D. Farring- 
ton, F. Beckwith, D. K. McLallen, Delancey King, E. 
Osburn, Deacon Gregory and Dr. Lewis Halsey, were ap- 
pointed a committee to circulate subscriptions for Elder 
Abbott the ensuing year. Adams Cleghorn was sustain- 
ed as a student at Hamilton. Elder Sheardown assisted 
the pastor in a protracted meeting of unusual interest. 

Elder Abbott, after six years' faithful service, resigned 
1833. An unsuccessful attempt was made to secure the 
services of Elder P. D. Gillette. P. H. Thompson, and 
David K. McLallen were appointed a committee to raise 
funds to assist in sending Grover S. Comstock to Burmah. 
While Elder Abbott was pastor, the church enjoyed three 
powerful revivals, two hundred-nineteen were added by 
baptism and eighty-seven by letter. The next pastor 
was Thomas Dowling, brother of the better known Rev. 
John Dowling, of New York. He received a salary of 
four hundred dollars, and the church " moved " him and 
his family from Catskill. His work here began Jan. 1, 
1835. The church contributed this year $300, for benev- 
olence. A resolution was adopted that the congregation 
be requested to rise during prayer and to sit while sing- 
ing. Elder Philander Shedd succeeded Elder Dowling 
in 1836. His labors were abundantly blessed, as he had 
the pleasure of administering the ordinance of baptism to 
one hundred-seventeen converts. William E. Locke be- 
gan his ministrations in April, 1839, an d resigned in 1843. 



192 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Previous to this time, the church was supplied by Messrs. 
Bronson and Thomas, who were about to sail as mission- 
aries. At a special church meeting Feb. 1839, Elders 
Shedd, Abbott, Woolsey, and Swick were present. This 
was a time of refreshing, baptisms were frequent, and the 
members were working in harmony. Elder Locke was 
succeeded by Howell Smith from Scipio. The old church 
edifice was removed, and the frame of a new one raised, 
July 4, 1844. The clerk notes that the church has ex- 
perienced a serious loss in the death of their dear Father 
John McLallen, who finished his course Dec. 16, 1844. 

Timothy Burr asked to be relieved from his duties as 
clerk and was succeeded by George T. Spink. A unani- 
mous vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Burr for his faith- 
ful services. He died in Binghampton, Feb. 1, 1862. 
The new clerk uses for a time the title bishop instead of 
that of pastor. The second church edifice was dedicated 
Feb. 13, 1845. R ev - D. H. Hamilton, (Presbyterian,) 
and Rev. Mr. Chase, ( Methodist,) of Trumansburg, with 
Bishop Sheardown, conducted the opening services. 
Bishop Jackson, of Ithaca, preached from 2d Cor. 6:15-16, 
" an eloquent discourse," then followed the closing exer- 
cises by Bishops Shedd and Litchfield. The thanks of 
the church were tendered to the trustees for their arduous 
services. 

In 1845, the Baptist State Convention met at Tru- 
mansburg, and the church appointed as a committee to 
prepare for its coming, Deacons Harvey King, D. B. 
Ayers, Breth. Kinne, Glazier, Howe, Shaw, Burr, Branch, 
and A. H. Pease with the pastor. Pastor Smith resigned 
in Nov. 1847, having baptised fifty-nine members. Elder 
J. Parker Woodworth supplied the desk for several 
months, and as the record states : " preached unto them 
the word that was good and profitable." William Cor- 
mac became pastor in June, 1848. As the Presbyterian 
brethren were re-building their church, it was voted that 



Seneca Baptist Association. 193 

Elder Cormac invite Rev. D. H. Hamilton, pastor of that 
society, to supply the desk alternately with him. The 
church was soon to reap the fruits of this act of Christian 
courtesy. In Nov. 1848, the pastor's salary was raised 
to five hundred dollars, and a committee was appointed 
to notify him of this action. Mr. Cormac baptised'thirty- 
eight into the fellowship of the church, and sixteen were 
added by letter. 

At about two o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, 
March 21, 1849, ft was discovered that the Baptist meet- 
ing-house was in flames ; and the " noble edifice," as the 
clerk describes it, with organ, bell, clock, and Sunday- 
School library was entirely consumed. Three days after- 
ward, the covenant meeting was held in the Presbyterian 
session-house, and twenty-two converts related their 
Christian experience. The church at once resolved to 
rebuild, and in less than thirty days had secured sub- 
scriptions for that purpose amounting to $6,500. A new 
chapel was opened for worship, July 8, 1849, tne pastor 
preaching an appropriate sermon. 

Mr. Cormac resigned in February, 1850, and Charles L. 
Bacon, of Mount Morris, received a unanimous call to the 
pastorate, beginning his work here May 1st. In July, 
James McLallen and David Farrington were ordained as 
deacons, the pastor being assisted in the solemn services 
by Dr. O. C. Comstock, of Michigan. The new house of 
worship was dedicated Feb. 6, 1851, Pastor C. L. Bacon 
preaching the sermon. Rev'ds. Hamilton, Taylor, West, 
and Woodworth took part in the services. The congre- 
gation numbered about one thousand persons. Rev. 
William Cormac preached in the evening. A meeting of 
days was held in which the pastor was assisted by the 
evangelist, W T . H. Delano. The year 1856 was a joyful 
year for the church in Trumansburg; there were many 
baptisms ; pastor and people were united ; in temporal 
and in spiritual things, the church was abundantly blessed. 



194 Seneca Baptist Association. 

In Feb. 1859, ^ was determined to invite Rev. W. G. 
DeWitt, a young evangelist, then holding meetings at 
Farmer Village, to visit the church in Trumansburg, 
There followed one of the most remarkable revivals in 
the history of the church. It extended through the 
whole community, and all the churches were strengthen- 
ed by it. The doors of the sanctuary were open by 
night and by day. Denominational jealousies were for a 
time forgotten. All Christians worked together. Fifty- 
five united with the church by baptism, fourteen by 
restoration and by letter. Mr. DeWitt preached his fare- 
well sermon on Sunday, April 10th, and the church clerk 
assures us that the meeting-house was never before so 
full of people. In Jan. i860, the clerk noticed the death of 
the first pastor of the church, and at a succeeding meeting 
it was voted that the pastor preach a sermon commemora- 
tive of the beloved Dr. Comstock. 

George T. Spink resigned as church clerk, Dec. 13, 
1862, and was succeeded by C. W. Burghardt. The 
church passed unanimously a resolution tendering their 
thanks to the late clerk for long and faithful services. 
Col. Spink died Sept. 24, 1876, aged 73 years, at the 
home of his son-in-law, Rev. E. J. Foote, in New Jersey. 

In February, 1863, the pastor was assisted in meetings 
by Rev. C. A. Votey, and Rev. D. Corey, C. L. Bacon 
resigning Feb. 1864, was recalled, and continued to supply 
the desk for six months. Mr. Bacon was pastor for nearly 
fifteen years, during which period he baptised two hun- 
dred and sixty members ; the total number added being 
three hundred and thirty-five. 

For several months the pulpit was acceptably supplied 
by Lewis Ransted. Rev. Increase Child became pastor 
in Oct. 1864, and served the church faithfully for one 
year. D. Corey was called to the pastorate in March, 
1866, and the church was soon greatly revived. Pastor 



Seneca Baptist Association. 195 

Corey resigned Jan. 19, 1865, having baptised into the 
fellowship of the church one hundred-nineteen persons. 
George A. Starkweather became pastor in April, 1869. 
Within one year the church licensed to preach the gospel 
four of its members. J. M. Lovell was elected Treasurer, 
and was succeeded by Dr. J. D. Lewis, in 1872. Mr. 
Starkweather resigned on account of ill health, in April, 

1874. 

On the 1 2th of May, died Dr. J. Deloss Lewis, one of 
the most active members of the church. Dr. Lewis was 
Surgeon of the 15th N. Y. S. V., during the war, and was 
the first President of the village of Trumansburg. He 
was a grandson of John Lewis, the first pastor of the 
Farmer Village Baptist church. A man of unbending in- 
tegrity, he left a reputation without a stain. 

E, S. Gallup, long Professor of Greek in Madison Uni- 
versity, was called as pastor of the church Sept. 19th, 
1874. Sister Anna Daggett, the last constituent member 
of the church, peacefully departed this life Feb. 21, 1875, 
aged eighty-seven years. Mr. Gallup resigned 1876, and was 
succeeded in April, 1877, by Rev. J. J. Phelps, the pres- 
ent pastor, whose labors during the past winter have been 
greatly blessed. The minutes note powerful revivals in 
1819, O. C. Comstock, preacher; 1830-1-2-3 ; Aaron 
Abbott, pastor; 1839-41. W. E. Locke, pastor; 1844, 
Howell Smith, pastor; 1849, William Cormac, pastor; 
^51-53-56-59, C. L. Bacon, pastor; ( H. G. DeWitt, 
evangelist, in 1850,) 1867, D. Corey, pastor ; 1878, J. J. 
Phelps, pastor. 

OFFICERS. 

Deacons: William Ward, Josiah Cleveland, and Samuel 
Gregory, elected Sept. 16, 1820; Daniel B. Ayers and 
Allen Pease, appointed March 5th, 183 1, ordained on 
Sunday, Aug. 14, after a sermon by Dr. O. C. Comstock ; 
John McLallen, elected Sept. 17, ordained Sept, 18, 1831. 
(He died Dec. 15th of the same year). Harvey King, 



196 ' Seneca Baptist Association. 

received by letter, April 19, 1834. James McLallen and 
David Farrington, elected Nov. 17, 1849, ordained in 
July; John L. Bloomer, Charles W. Burghardt, John 
Serrine, Minor T. Coburn, elected, May 17, 1862, ordain- 
ed, Aug. 6; Edward Clark, May, 1864; G. F. Collins, 
May, 1865 ; L. P. Hand, M. T. Coburn, re-elected, C. W. 
Burghardt, re-elected, May, 1866, John Serrine, re-elected 
and J. Milton Lovell Dec. 21, 1878. 

Licentiates: George B. Phillips, Nov. 1820; J. F. 
Stark, 1829, and 1831; William White, 1832; John Kelly 
and Adams Cleghorn, 1833 ; Nicoll H. Ayers, May, 1845 I 
David Osborn, Aug, 1847, an ^ Feb. 1848; Ira Smith, 
185 1 ; Charles E. Barto, John E. McLallen, 1869, Jay R. 
Shaw, Delazon Conley, Lewis Halsey, 1870. 

Clerks: Daniel Barto, 1819; Elias J. Ayers, 1821 ; Al- 
len Pease, 1822; John Cleveland, 1824; E. J. Ayers, 
second term, 1825; James F. Stark, 1829; James Mc- 
Lallen, 1 83 1 ; Timothy Burr, 1836; George T. Spink, 
1844; Charles W. Burghardt, 1862. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor : J. J. Phelps. Deacons : David Farrington, 
Charles W. Burghardt, Lewis P. Hand, Minor T. Coburn, 
Harvey King, John Serrine, J. Milton Lovell. Clerk : C. 
W. Burghardt. Trustees: R. S. Smith, Henry Glazier, 
A. H. Pease, Travis Hopkins, Sherman Tichenor, David 
K. McLallen. Society clerk : David H. McLallen. Treas- 
urer: A. H. Pease. Chorister: Covert Smith. Ladies' 
Social Society, President: Mrs. S. A. Sherwood. Treas- 
urer: Miss Mary Hopkins. Secretary: Miss Lucy Pease. 
Young People's Association, President : DeRosley Pease, 
Vice-Pres.: Frank Allen. Secretary : Miss Lucy Pease. 
CARDINAL DATES. 

1819 — 8 — 26, Constituted as Second Ulysses church. 

1821 — 9 — 5, United with Seneca Association. 

1S26, First meeting-house built. 

1834, Grover Comstock preaches his farewell sermon. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 197 

1845 Second house built. 

1845 — 10 — 15, Baptist State Convention meets here. 

1849 — 3 — 19, Meeting-house burned. 

1849, Chapel built. 

1851 — 2 — 6, Third temple dedicated. 

1859 Revival— H. G. Dewitt. 

1866. Meeting-house repaired. 

1869—8—26, .Jubilee semi-centennial anniversary. 

POSTSCRIPT. 

On the 15th and 16th of October, 1845, the New York 
Baptist Missionary Convention held its twenty-fourth 
annual session at Trumansburg. Rev. Marsena Stone 
preached the introductory sermon, from Isaiah, 21:1 1, 
" Watchman, what of the night?" John Peck was Presi- 
dent of the Board of directors; John Smitzer, Moderator, 
D. G. Corey and S. W. Adams, secretaries. Among the 
delegates were many names which Baptists love to hear 
spoken : Alfred Bennett, John Peck, Dolphas Bennett, 
A. M. Beebee, Jirah D. Cole, Lewis Leonard, Whitman 
Metcalf, James McLallen, O. Montague, T. S. Shear- 
down, P. B. Peck, Lewis Porter, Lewis Ransted, Daniel 
Scott, John Smitzer, C. G. Carpenter, H. B. Ewell, C. P. 
Sheldon, H. K. Stimson, S. Adsit, A. C. Mallory, Z. 
Grennell, C. Wardner, J. W. Taggert. 

Among the visiting brethren was the venerable Baptist 
historian, David Benedict, of Rhode Island. The able 
report of the Board was read by their Secretary, Jirah D. 
Cole, and dwelt particularly on the necessities of our own 
State as a field for missionary labor. " We know that 
these feeble churches and destitute districts, from their 
very nearness to us, and from the frequency with which 
we have heard of them, cease to awaken our sympathies. 
In relation to objects of missionary interest, it is true 
that ' distance lends enchantment,' as it is true in regard 
to objects of nature or of art. Proximity to an object 
discovers to us many blemishes which a remoter post of 
observation never would have disclosed to our sight. In 



198 Seneca Baptist Association. 

this regard, the Convention suffers a disadvantage when 
compared with some other missionary organizations. 
The field which they occupy, and the seat of their opera- 
tions are so remote from our brethren, that they neither 
see the friction of their machinery nor hear the noise of 
its movements. Still the Convention has before it two 
hundred and fifty feeble churches, besides extensive 
destitution where no churches exist, looking to it for aid, 
and sending out the imploring cry : ' Come over and help 
us!' It should be remembered too that many of these 
small churches have not as much ability to sustain them- 
selves, compared with their number of members, as is 
generally the case with larger ones. They are in poorer 
sections of the country, or if in wealthier communities, 
they have not become objects possessing attraction in 
the eyes of the worldly, honorable and the affluent. But 
shall they be neglected, and under the pressure of their 
wants, sink and expire ? This is the question which this 
Convention has to answer." 

This same question is before the New York State Mis- 
sionary Convention to-day. " The poor ye have always 
with you, M is as true of churches as of individuals. And 
we are members one of another. Many of the strongest 
churches have been built of timbers taken from these 
weaker ones. If they fall, those now stronger will not 
fail to suffer from the loss. May the words above quoted, 
written by one who was an honored pastor in the Seneca 
Association, incite the members of that body to renewed 
zeal in the cause of the State Convention ! 

The report of the Board was adopted on motion of C. 
P. Sheldon, seconded by P. B. Peck. Lewis Leonard 
presented a resolution favoring faithful translations of 
the Bible. Alfred Bennett, seconded by H. N. Loring, 
moved the adoption of the following: "Resolved, that 
our foreign mission cause has arrived at such a crisis as 
to demand our united, sympathetic, and enlarged sup- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 199 

port for the honor of the denomination, and the glory of 
God." Zenas Freeman, seconded by Marsena Stone, 
offered a resolution commending to the sympathies, pray- 
ers, and contributions of the denomination, the literary 
and theological Institution at Hamilton. The Home 
Mission Society was also commended by resolution. C 
G. Carpenter was elected President of the Convention, 
Jirah D. Cole, Secretary. Both were ex-pastors of the 
church in Ithaca. Among the names of directors, besides 
those already mentioned, appear : N. Kendrick, Spencer 
H. Cone, A. Maclay, James Reed, Edward Bright, Jr., B. 
T. Welch, Zenas Case, Jacob Knapp, C. P. Wyckoff, 
Norman Fox, Pharcellus Church, Jesse Elliott, Hervey 
Edwards, William R. Williams, J. H. Chamberlain, Wil- 
liam Colegate, Oren Sage, William Arthur, John Munroe, 
D. Bellamy, A. Haskell, Friend Humphrey. J. B. Olcott, 
seconded by H. K. Stimson, moved a resolution com- 
mending the American Baptist Publication Society. The 
Convention adjourned after impressive and affectionate 
remarks by Elder John Peck and the Moderator, and the 
singing of the hymn : 

''Blest be the tie, that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love." 









Waterloo. 



The churches in the northern part of Seneca County 
were led, by their geographical position, to seek member- 
ship in the Ontario Association. Waterloo has been a 
member of this body during the longer period of its his- 
tory. As early as in 1824, Elder John Goff, of' Benton, 
Ontario Co., had monthly appointments at the Court- 
House at Waterloo. In 1825, Elder Thomas Brown, pas- 
tor of the Baptist church at Geneva, had semi-weekly ap- 
pointments here. A church was organized Aug. 6, 1825, 
with seventeen members: Cornelius Hill, William Child, 
Asa Worden, Harris Usher, John Demconson, Ray G. 
Lewis, Edward Buck, Catherine Riker, Betsy Usher, 
Charlotte Long, Eunice Demconson, Mary Warden, 
Nancy Whiteford, Polly Smith, Susan Smith, Sarah 
Smith, Elizabeth Snook. 

Asa Warden, and Cornelius Hill were elected deacons 
in Sept. 1825. In Nov., the church united with the On- 
tario Association. Elder E. M. Martin was pastor at 
Geneva and Waterloo in 1825-26. The church seems to 
have held only occasional meetings until 1831, when 
Elder Taylor was pastor for one year. On the 15th of 
Oct. 1833, the church voted to disband its organization 
and ceased to exist. 

In Oct. 1836, Moses Rowley, a missionary of the State 
Convention, began to preach every Sunday at the Court- 
House. He had been particularly successful in gather- 
ing the scattered sheep and establishing churches in four 
other neighborhoods, and came now to *' this valley of 
vision to prophesy over these dry bones." The church 



Seneca Baptist Association. , 201 

was re-constituted in March, 1837, with thirty-seven 
members. C. Hill. Jr., and George W. Milliner were 
elected deacons ; C. Hill, Jr., I. Thorne, G. W. Milliner, 
J. Marshall, J. W. Durham, and J. Lautensliker, Trustees. 
George W. Lambert, and I. Thorne were elected deacons. 
Until 1838, services were held in the Court-House, after- 
ward in the school-house in South Waterloo. Elder 
Rowley was pastor for four years, and baptised one hun- 
dred and twenty-two converts. 

The pastors from 1840 until 1853, were : Enos Marshall, 
L. Ransted, J. Halliday, Nathan Baker, E. Blakely, S. 
Ewer, Samuel Hough, and D. W. Litchfield. In 1843, 
when Nathan Baker was pastor, the church reports fifty- 
nine baptisms, and one hundred and fifty-two members. 
A meeting-house was built, costing three thousand dol- 
lars, and was dedicated June 15, 1840. This house was 
sold in 1843, the congregation worshiping again in the 
school-house. In 1853, the church once more disbanded. 

At a meeting held Jan. 17, 1863, the following mem- 
bers united in a Baptist conference : Rev. Carl T. Kreyer, 
James C. Hallsted, James Garrison, Thomas Jackson, 
John L. Cone, Leonard B. Mosher, George Seibold, J. 
Love, Joseph Macon, C. Hill, Seymour May, Mrs. J. C. 
Hallsted, Phoebe May, Mary Warner, Eliza Powers, 
Sarah Hill, L. B. Mosher. A council which met Feb. 9, 
1863, recognized this body as a regular Baptist church ; 
and ordained Carl T. Kreyer as pastor. He continued 
his labors here for nearly a year, and was then sent as a 
missionary to China, by the A. B. M. U. James C. Hall- 
sted and Leonard B. Mosher were elected deacons, John 
L. Cone, clerk. 

At the annual session in 1S65, the church was received 
as a member of the Seneca Association. In 1865, the old 
Baptist meeting-house was re-purchased from the Luther- 
ans. This house was burned Feb. 21, 1875, and for one 
year the congregation assembled for worship in Towsley 



202 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Hall. A parsonage and lot were purchased on William 
street, in 1876, and a chapel built costing some three 
thousand dollars. 

After the resignation of pastor Kreyer, J. E. Lockwood 
preached for a short time, when he was succeeded by W. 
H. Steegar, from 1865 to 1868. S. V. Marsh was then 
pastor for two years. W. M. Robinson was pastor in 
1872-3, and during these years the church reports nine- 
teen baptisms. In 1874, F. P. Sutherland accepted a call 
to the pastorate and was ordained here. C. A. Harris 
was pastor for a short time in 1876, and was succeeded in 
1877, by F. M. Beebee. 

The church is at present without a pastor. It has had 
but three clerks since uniting with the Seneca Associa- 
tion, viz., Seymour May, 1865-75 ; C. V. D. Cornell, 
1875-78; J. C. Hallsted, 1879. 

OFFICERS. 

Deacons : James C. Hallsted and S. Brewer. Clerk : 
James C. Hallsted. Trustees: J. C. Hallsted, S. May, S. 
Bigelow, S. B. Mosher, C. V. D. Cornell. 
CARDINAL DATES. 

1824, Baptist Missionaries. 

1825 — 8 — 6, Church organized. 

1825 — 11. Unites with Ontario Association. 

1833— 10— 15, Disbands. 

1837 — 3, Reorganization. 

1840 — 6 — 15, Meeting-house dedicated. 

1843, Meeting-house sold. 

1843, Again disbands. 

1863 — 1 — 17, Church recognized. 

1865, Unites with Seneca Association. 

1865, Meeting-house re-purchased. 

1875— 2— 21, .Meeting-house burned. 

1876, Parsonage bought — Chapel built. 



Watkins. 



In the year 1846, Elder T. S. Sheardown, then pastor 
at Reading, having carefully reconnoitered the ground, 
determined, as he informs us in his autobiography, to 
" make a flank movement " on Watkins, then known as 
Jefferson. He sought permission to preach in the school- 
house, but was at first unsuccessful. Subsequently, 
through the influence of Senator George Guinnip, the 
school-house was thrown open, and he gave a series of 
lectures on Romanism. Finding that he had secured the 
attention and good will of the people, the missionary 
Bishop resigned at Reading, and devoted his whole time 
to the work at Watkins. 

A church organization had been perfected, Oct. 2, 1846, 
fifteen members signing their names to the church cove- 
nant. The constituent members were : John Moshier, 
Albert Wilson, William Kinner, William Pratt, T. L. 
McWhorter, Ropuna Russ, Mary Kinney, Caroline 
Moshier, Sarah Pratt, Emeline Moshier, Lucinda Cass, 
Charlotte Moshier, Helen Edgerton, Fanny Winfield, 
Sarah Wilson. Meetings were held in the old school- 
house which was finally purchased for $100, to serve as a 
shelter until they could complete their house of worship. 
Notice was served on them that this building must be re- 
moved from the corporation grounds. A stranger offer- 
ed to the anxious pastor the use of a vacant lot. The 
energetic Elder immediately hurried to the boat-yards, 
procured capstan, chains, and cables, " raised a dust," as 
he says, and gathered the friends and brethren who had a 
mind to the work. "There was a great deal of racking 



204 Seneca Baptist Association. 

and cracking about the old shell, yet it held together, 
and the next Sabbath we were happily located in the old 
house on a new site." The pastor loved to preach to 
boatmen at the lake shore, and asking for some standard 
by which to designate the place of meeting, was soon 
provided with a handsome ensign inscribed " Bethel 
Church." Thus the Baptist banner was lifted, and the 
work of church building went on. Money being needed, 
Elder Sheardown sought aid from his old friends between 
the lakes, visiting Trumansburg, Covert, Farmer Village, 
and other churches. All responded cordially, and his 
heart and hands were strengthened for his good work. 

The meeting-house was completed in 1850, at a cost of 
about $3,500, and the church entered it with grateful 
hearts. Dedicatory services were held May 14th, when 
pastor Sheardown preached, from Gen., 28:22. Rev'ds. 
C. G. Carpenter, J. B. Olcott, C. Wardner, and George 
Brown participated in the services of the day. For four 
years, the church was a mission station, and did not call 
a council to ask the fellowship of the denomination. 
They made regular reports however to the Seneca As- 
sociation, and " looked up to it as a child would look up 
to its father." The church was recognized in Aug. 1850, 
and became a member of the Seneca Association, at its 
next session. 

In 1859, tne church in Watkins felt the influence of the 
great revival wave which swept over the Association. 
The pastor, H. West, was assisted by George Balcom, 
and sixty-five baptisms are reported. 

In 1866, when E. Royce was pastor, the church was 
permitted to witness another powerful work of grace, 
and reports thirty-three additions. Before the coming of 
Pastor Weeks the church enjoyed the services of G. A. 
Starkweather, of Watkins, as a supply. 

This church, in common with its sister churches, was 
strengthened by the meetings of the pastors' conference, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 205 

which was often held with the weaker members of the 
Association, to aid and encourage them. Watkins, New- 
field, Enfield, Peach Orchard, as well as others, were 
cheered by these assemblies. The social intercourse and 
intellectual exercise resulting from the conference were 
also enjoyable and useful to the ministers of the Asso- 
ciation. 

The Watkins church has not been blessed by many 
seasons of great spiritual prosperity, but has had faithful 
pastors, who have baptised many happy converts. It has 
seen dark days, has suffered from foes within as well as 
from foes without. At present union and love prevail, 
and the church is persistently holding the fort, waiting 
the coming of the great Commander. 

OFFICERS. 

Pastors : The following list gives the names of pastors, 
with dates of their settlement: T. S. Sheardown, 1846; 
Andrew Wilkins, 1853; Hezekiah West, 1855; William 
McCarthy, 1856; L. Lowe, 1857; H. West, (second pas- 
torate) 1858; H. S. Card, 1861 ; E. Royce, 1865; H. E. 
Ford, 1868; C. W. Brooks, 1870; Thos. G. Wright, 1875 ; 
George E. Weeks, 1879. 

The church has had but four deacons: John Moshier, 
Daniel Berry, and J. Page, elected Aug. 1859, an< ^ S. W 
Sackett, Nov. 30, 1872; Dea. Moshier died Oct. 1866. 
Dea. Berry died Oct. 25th, 1873. They did their work 
well, and the church misses them. Why so many years 
elapsed before deacons were appointed is not known, but 
that none were appointed is established by the church 
record; and by the testimony of older members. 

Four members have received license to preach. C. R. 
Burdick, now a Presbyterian, Mr. Perry, W. P. Omans, 
and Fred H. Gates. 

Clerks were elected as follows: A. Wilson, 1850; A. 
Bellamy, 1852; L. Parsons, 1855; E. O. Allen, 1856; H. 



206 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



Atwood, 1859; Hiram VanTassel, 1862; E. O. Allen, 
(second term) 1869. 

PRESENT OFFICERS. 

Pastor: George E. Weeks. Deacons: J. Page, 'Samuel 
W. Sackett. Clerk : E. O. Allen. Superintendent Sun- 
day-School : A. C. La Dow. 

CARDINAL DATES. 

1846 — 1, Elder Sheardown reconnoitering. 

1846 — 10 — 2, Church organized. 

1850, Meeting-house completed. 

1850 — 8, .Church recoganized. 

1850 — 10, Unites with Seneca Association. 

1859 — 8 — 6, First deacons elected. 





DR. 0. C. C0MST0CK. 



Biographical Sketches. 



Dr. Oliver C. Comstock. 

Oliver Cromwell Comstock, the first Moderator of the 
Seneca Baptist Association, and the first pastor of three 
of the churches of that Association, was born in Warwick, 
Kent Co., Rhode Island, March I, 1781. He was the 
son of Hon. Adam Comstock, one of the most honored 
citizens and influential legislators of his day. For twelve 
successive terms, Adam Comstock was elected from 
Saratoga Co., to the lower house of the State legislature, 
and was afterward State Senator for four years. He was 
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1801, of 
which Aaron Burr was president. 

The early education of O. C. Comstock was acquired 
in the schools of Schenectady, and of Greenfield, Sarato- 
ga county. From his childhood, he was known as a close 
student. He afterward entered the University of New 
York, and graduated from the medical department. He 
also engaged in the study of law, and his honorary degree 
of A. M., was worn as worthily as was that of M. D. For 
a short time he practiced medicine near Cayuga bridge, 
where he married Lydia Smith, daughter of Judge Grover 
Smith, of Seneca county. In 1807, he removed to Tru- 
mansburg then in Seneca county. Following in the foot- 
steps of his honored father, he early entered political life, 
and it seemed only necessary for him to permit the use 
of his name, in order to receive almost any gift which his 
fellow citizens had power to bestow. 

He was the member of Assembly from Seneca county 
in 1810-12 ; Judge of Seneca county in 1812 ; the first 



2o8 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Judge of Tompkins county in 1817 ; member of the House 
of Representatives during the 13th, 14th and 15th ses- 
sions, when Henry Clay was speaker, declining a re-nom- 
ination for a fourth term, that he might devote himself to 
the preaching of the gospel to poor and feeble pioneer 
churches. Few men have ever been called upon to make 
such sacrifices. Few perhaps would listen to such a call. 
In Congress he was an able debater, and a conscientious 
legislator. He was appointed by the President one of the 
commissioners to settle the claims of the sufferers by the 
war, on the Niagara frontier. This delicate duty was dis- 
charged to the satisfaction of both the government and 
the claimants. 

While a member of Congress, he was baptised in the 
Potomac by the Rev. Obadiah B. Brown, pastor of the 
First Baptist church in Washington. Many of the Con- 
gressmen accompanied the concourse to the river side to 
witness the baptism of their colleague. 

After declining a re-nomination to Congress, he re- 
sumed the practice of medicine at Trumansburg, gather- 
ed a church there, which was constituted in 18 19, preach- 
ed at Ithaca, Peach Orchard, Farmer Village, and other 
out-stations and churches. At this time he also organized 
a church at Ithaca, and was its first pastor, dividing his 
time between that church and the one at Trumansburg. 

In 1828, he accepted a call to Rochester. When he 
went to that then youthful city, he found the Baptist 
congregation worshiping in a public hall in the rear of the 
Clinton house. Their services had been held in the old 
court house, but the supervisors decided that it was un- 
wise to permit any religious body to hold service in the 
public buildings, and so directed the sheriff to order the 
Baptists out. The outlook for the little church was 
gloomy. They were too poor to build, and knew not 
where to buy. After long continued labor, against many 
discouragements, Dr. Comstock succeeded in securing a 



Seneca Baptist Association. 209 

place of worship for his people. The church which had 
been built by the Presbyterians, the first ever erected in 
Rochester, was bought for $1,500, in the year 1828. The 
Baptists now had a home. 

The labors of Dr. Comstock were richly blessed to this 
people. In 183 1, he baptised one hundred and fifty can- 
didates, and fifty-three members united with the church 
by letter. In 1832, the church reports sixty-seven bap- 
tised, and thirty-nine received by letter. In 1833, eighty- 
seven baptised, and thirty-four received by letter. Dr. 
Comstock had now been pastor for five years, and the 
old church, after dismissing more than one hundred mem- 
bers to constitute a new one, had left more than double 
the number she had when he began his pastorate. She 
reported in 1827, at the organization of the Monroe as- 
sociation, 158 members. In 1833, she reported 353, and 
102 dismissed by letter. An appreciative sketch of Dr. 
Comstock in the Rochester Herald, thus concludes : 

" The second pastor of the First Baptist church in this 
city was a remarkable man. He seemed able to adapt 
himself to any position in life, no matter how humble or 
how elevated. In him were united the three great pro- 
fessions, the ministry, the law and medicine. He was 
the faithful preacher in the rude ball-room of Hiram 
Leonard, when he first came here, and afterwards, with 
the same adaptability to occurring events, opened the 
sessions of Congress with prayer when the great men of 
the nation and a future president bowed with him in 

It is safe to say that no cleric or layman who ever lived 
in this vicinity has had such a variety of high honors 
conferred upon him, and at the same time no church has 
had a more painstaking pastor than the First Baptist 
church of our city during the charge of Rev. Oliver C. 
Comstock." 



210 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Benedict, the Baptist historian, quotes as follows from 
the Manual of the First church of Rochester : 

" The event which, under God, did more than any 
other for the advancement of the church, was the settle- 
ment of Dr. O. C. Comstock as its pastor." 

While Dr. Comstock was at Rochester, his second son, 
Grover S., a young lawyer of great promise, was convert- 
ed, and immediately, as he expressed it, " took a retainer 
from the Lord J'esus Christ," and entered the Christian 
ministry. This young man went as a missionary to Bur- 
mah, where he gave his life a sacrifice upon the altar of 
love to humanity, dying of cholera in 1844. His earnest 
cry, " Six men for Arracan ! " long rang in the ears of his 
fellow laborers in America, and inspired them to renewed 
zeal in the cause of missions. The wife of Grover Com- 
stock was of a spirit noble like his own. Bidding her lit- 
tle children farewell, as they were about to embark for 
America to be seen by her no more, she said, looking to- 
ward heaven : " My Savior, I do this for thee ! " 

While pastor at Rochester, Dr. Comstock was deeply 
afflicted by the death of his excellent wife, the influence 
of whose gentle, winning, Christian life was a principal 
means of his conversion. Sad, lonely, and heart-weary, 
with health impaired, he resigned his charge, and sought 
change and rest, Visiting Washington on his journey 
southward, he was elected chaplain of the House of Rep- 
resentatives, and served during one term. He was then 
persuaded to undertake the pastoral charge of the First 
Baptist church of Norfolk, Va., where he remained for 
nearly two years. 

His only surviving son, Dr. O. C. Comstock, Jr., who 
succeeded him in his practice at Trumansburg, having re- 
moved to Marshall, Mich., he was led to the same new 
Territory, and was pastor at Detroit, preaching afterward 
as a supply to the churches in Ann Arbor, Jackson, Mar- 
shall and Coldwater; doing the work, but not willing to 



Seneca Baptist Association. 211 

accept the name of pastor, as he considered his pastoral 
work closed when he left Detroit. He was pastor of the 
First church at Detroit for nearly two years, at Ann Ar- 
bor five years, at Springfield, 111., one year. In every church 
the Lord blessed his labors, and the people loved him. 

He was twice elected Superintendent of public instruc- 
tion of the State of Michigan, and once consented to 
represent Branch county in the legislature, manifesting 
in his declining years the same interest in the welfare of 
the republic and the advancement of his fellow citizens 
which had distinguished him in early manhood. 

As he had been the first Moderator and preacher in 
the Seneca Association, so also he was the Moderator 
and preacher of the introductory sermon at the first an- 
niversary meeting of the Monroe Baptist Association. 
He was an able advocate of the cause of temperance, and 
was elected President of the State Temperance Society 
of Michigan. His reports as Superintendent of public 
instruction are filled with practical and fruitful sugges- 
tions, and bear the impress of the statesman and the 
Christian. 

Everywhere, in the practice of his profession, on the 
judge's bench, in legislative halls, in the pulpit, the fami- 
ly, the social circle, he was the same courteous, warm- 
hearted, loving Christian gentleman, striving to please 
his neighbors for their good unto edification. 

The history of Dr. Comstock reads like that of one of 
the old crusaders. He relinquished the honors of this 
world, to become a soldier of the cross. In some respects 
his life may remind us of that of the Apostle to the 
Gentiles. He was a nobleman, — so born. He was a 
Christian gentleman, — so born of the Spirit. He had 
the then unusual advantage of a professional education — 
political honors were showered upon him, the avenues of 
wealth and fame opened before him, but listening to the 
voice of God, he seemed to look upon all these things 



212 Seneca Baptist Association. 

as temptations, from which he must turn away to preach 
to others the unsearchable riches of Christ's gospel. Who 
will say that he was wrong? Is the highest office of 
earth as honorable as that of an ambassador of the 
Heavenly King? More than men need strength, wisdom, 
power, or wealth, they need soul rest, — peace with God. 
Dr. Comstock believed that it would be kinder to bind 
up the wounded spirit than merely to heal the broken 
body ; more glorious to break the yoke of sin and let the 
oppressed go free, than to gain earth's honors, forgetful 
of the sufferings of others. Like Henry Clay, he was 
one of those happily constituted mortals who find it easy 
to win, and usually learn to long for, the applause and ad- 
miration of their fellow men. It was a very high moun- 
tain, to the top of which the Tempter led him, but he 
could say, as did his Savior, " It is written ! " and could 
sing with the spirit what many men sing with the lips alone: 

" Perish every fond ambition, 
All I've sought, or hoped, or known ; 
Yet how rich is my condition, 
God and heaven are still my own ! " 

Dr. Comstock was a man to be loved. Remarkably 
genial and hospitable, he richly enjoyed the society of 
his friends, appreciated a pointed anecdote, and had a 
keen sense of the ludicrous, yet was his humor ever 
chaste and his kindly wit left no wound. Frank and 
generous in disposition, he was eminently a man of peace, 
willing to sacrifice his own views, but not his convictions, 
rather than to foment strife. He had too much charity — 
his faculties and affections were too well balanced — to be 
a great leader, for, seeing both sides of every question, 
and ready to make allowances for differences of opinion, 
he felt kindly toward the wrong doer, even when hating 
the wrong. A Baptist from settled conviction, his broad 
catholicity led him to love all who loved the Lord Jesus, 
and it is believed that he never uttered a word which 



Seneca Baptist Association. 213 

would wound the heart of a conscientious member of any 
Christian communion. His brother, Rev. Dr. Alexander 
Comstock, a Methodist clergyman, sometimes inclined to 
theological controversy, made this characteristic remark : 
" I do believe, Cromwell, if he met the Devil, would make 
a polite bow, and say : ' Good morning, sir ! ' " This an- 
ecdote may illustrate the courtesy, and peace loving dis- 
position for which Dr. Comstock was distinguished. 

His sermons were remarkable for breadth, force, and 
illustration, rather than for doctrinal discussion and close 
analysis. He always styled himself a li lay preacher," 
since he had not received a theological education, but in 
compensation for this lack of professional training, he 
had a cultivated mind, a natural talent for oratory, and a 
great, loving heart. 

When Dr. Comstock was in public life, he was an en- 
thusiastic and earnest friend of the common school sys- 
tem, and rendered efficient aid to Gov. Clinton in making 
this system a success. He was the first postmaster of 
Trumansburg, in 181 r, and the contrast between the beau- 
tiful, active village of to day and the wilderness of three- 
quarters of a century ago, may be seen in the fact that 
the first quarter's salary of the postmaster was one dollar 
and eighty-one cents. 

Dr. Comstock was a man of commanding presence, tall 
and well proportioned, kind and courteous in manner, al- 
ways welcoming his friends with a cordial greeting. He 
had a magnetic presence, and a voice which once heard 
was never forgotten ; every tone seemed to be filled with 
music. He was the peer of such men in his denomination 
as Kendrick, Peck, Cone and Bennett, and was often call- 
ed upon to preach at the anniversaries and meetings of 
State conventions. 

He died at the home of his son, Dr. O. C. Comstock, 
Jr., in Marshall, Calhoun county, Mich., Jan. 11, i860, 
aged seventy-nine years ; but he lives in the memory of 



214 Seneca Baptist Association. 

many who will never cease to love him, and in the undy- 
ing influence of his noble life. 



Dr. N. W. Folwell. 

Nathan Wright Folwell was born in Southampton, Pa., 
Dec. 27, 1805. Enjoying the advantages of a liberal 
education, he was a student at Hobart (then Geneva) 
College, and graduated at Fairfield Medical College, Jan. 
31, 1832. He was a student and a partner of his brother- 
in-law, Dr. C. C. Coan, of Lodi, and took high rank in his 
profession. Compelled by ill-health to relinquish his 
chosen calling, he returned to his old home at Romulus, 
to engage in farming. Previous to this time, listening to 
the evangelist Jacob Knapp, at Penn Yan, he was con- 
victed, and hearing a sermon soon afterward from U. B. 
Miller, from the text : " the Master is come and calleth 
for thee," he was converted. He often spoke of his con- 
version as occurring just at the dawning of the new year, 
Jan 1, 1844. He united with the Lodi church, Elder De- 
Land pastor, and soon received a license to preach. This 
was not in accordance with his wishes, as, although he 
possessed the rare gifts which give success to the public 
speaker, he preferred the walks of private life, and never 
sought place or honor. Yet he was willing to do what 
he could for the Master, and with voice and pen he often 
inspired his fellow laborers to zeal and faithfulness. For 
nearly two years, he labored earnestly and successfully as 
agent of the American Baptist Publication Society. 

He was devotedly attached to the cause of temperance, 
and the fear of unpopularity never prevented him from 
boldly advocating its principles. He attended regularly 
the sessions of the Seneca Baptist Association, and no 
face was more welcome, no greeting more cordial than 
his. For sixteen years, he was the treasurer of this body, 
and for over twenty years held the same office in the 




DR. N. W. FOLWELL. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 215 

Romulus church. His interest in the cause of Christ af- 
fected his pocket as well as his heart. He gave cheerful- 
ly and with a liberal hand, for the support of the gospel 
at home and abroad, and was a leader in every good work 
in the church and in the community. His friend, Dr. 
David Moore, writes : " when he was converted, he was 
converted all through, heart, conscience, will, intellect, 
body and soul. All he was and all he had was consecrated 
to the Lord that bought him." 

He loved to aid and encourage young men, as the 
writer well knows by experience. This is illustrated by 
the following incident related by Rev. L. J. Gross in his 
funeral discourse : 

Dr. Folwell was on the way from - ' his home to attend a 
revival meeting at the Romulus church during the pas- 
torate of Elder Fargo. Meeting a young man of his ac- 
quaintance, he said : " Come John, won't you go to meet- 
ing to-night?" " No, I guess not," the young man re- 
plied, " I have been threshing, and don't wish to go to 
church in these old clothes." "Never mind the clothes, 
John," said the Doctor, " they are good enough to go to 
heaven in. Get in and ride." The young man accepted 
the invitation, was led to seek Jesus that night ; the 
church saw that he was " apt to teach ; '' he was en- 
couraged to pursue a course of study at Rochester; and 
John Griffith, D. D., has shown himself "a workman that 
needeth not to be ashamed." 

Two of Dr. Folwell's sons fought in the Union Army. 
William Reeder Folwell was a member of the Fourth 
Michigan Regiment. James D. Folwell responded to the 
first call for volunteers, and enlisted in Co. A., 33d, N. Y. 
S. V. ; was captured in McClellan's abandoned hospital at 
Chickahominy, confined in Libby prison, and died of ema- 
ciation at Phila., July 26, 1862, aged twenty-three years. 
He was a noble, Christian soldier. 



2i6 Senpxa Baptist Association. 

Dr. Folwell delighted in dispensing a free and gener- 
ous hospitality, and was an enthusiastic lover of the liber- 
al arts. His favorite poet was Sir Walter Scott, many of 
whose poems he would repeat from memory. He was 
fond of Botany, and in the pursuit of this study joined 
his devoted friend Prof. Asa Gray, of Yale College, on a 
tour to the far West. 

He died, at peace with the world and at peace with 
God, Feb. 4, 1879, a ^ the g°°d old age of seventy-three 
years. Funeral services were held at the Romulus Bap- 
tist church, when the pastor, Rev. L. J. Gross, preached 
an appropriate and touching sermon from Ps. 12:1. In 
accordance with the request of Dr. Folwell, Rev. L. 
Halsey assisted in the services. Dr. Folwell rests from 
his labors, but his works follow him, and many whom he 
has befriended arise to call him blessed. His was a 
noble, generous, Christ-like spirit. May his example in- 
spire us to noble emulation ! His work is done ; ours is 
to be done ! 



James McLallen. 

James McLallen, for many years a deacon of the church 
in Trumansburg, and an officer in the Seneca Association, 
was born in the town of Ulysses, Oct. 12, 1800. He was 
the oldest son of John McLallen, a pioneer settler who 
came to the lake country with the revolutionary soldier, 
Abner Treman, from whom the village of Trumansburg 
received its name. John McLallen was one of the first 
deacons of the church in Trumansburg, the early meet- 
ings were often held at his home, and he gave to the 
church the site for their meeting-house. This venerable 
man was best known by the name of " Father McLallen," 
and when he died, Dec. 16, 1844, devout men carried him to 
his burial, and the church deeply mourned their loss. 

James McLallen was one of the most widely known 
and highly respected of the citizens of Trumansburg. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 217 

He was for many years a prominent merchant, post- 
master, (succeeding Col. H. Camp, and Dr. O. C. Corn- 
stock,) member of the Masonic fraternity, deacon of 
the Baptist church, trustee of the Presbyterian and of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, loved and honored by all. 

He was elected clerk of the Baptist church, in 183 1, 
and held the office until he was chosed deacon in 1849. 
He had charge of the Baptist depository at Trumans- 
burg, and was a life member and warm friend of the Bap- 
tist State Convention. His feeble frame enclosed a mind 
of untiring energy, and in the family, in the community, 
and in the church, his influence was felt as a power for 
good. 

He married Ellen Strobridge Feb. 1827, and found in 
her a noble, loving, helpful wife, during the remainder of 
his life journey. Few couples live so long, fewer still, so 
pleasantly together. On the 19th of Feb. 1877, they cele- 
brated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. He was baptised, 
by Elder Abbott, April 3, 1831, was chosen clerk of the 
church the next month, was elected deacon in 1849, an< ^ 
held the office for nearly thirty years, officiating at the 
last communion service held before he was called to take 
his place at the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

He died, at his home in Trumansburg, Nov. 14, 1877, 
his pastor, Rev. J. J. Phelps, preaching an appropriate 
funeral sermon ; Rev'ds. Gallup and Halsey assisting in 
the services. He labored long and faithfully as an officer 
of the organization whose history is recorded in this 
volume, his own name and that of the Seneca Baptist 
Association being for many years most intimately asso- 
ciated. For thirty-five years he was its Corresponding 
Secretary, for eleven years its Treasurer. The Associa- 
tion is deeply indebted to him for the preservation of its 
early records, and for the compilation of its statistics. 

He was a devoted friend of Dr. O. C. Comstock, and of 
his sons, Grover and O. C. Jr., and named his own son 



218 Seneca Baptist Association. 

after the hero missionary. The house of James McLallen 
was ever a Baptist home, and many a weary preacher has 
been cheered by the welcome, and strengthened by the 
hospitality there enjoyed. 

The later years of his life were spent in retirement, his 
health not permitting him to endure the fatigues of busi- 
ness. But he never forgot the appointments of the 
church. He especially loved the prayer-meeting, and 
was one of the few faithful ones whom his pastor could 
expect to meet there. How often we have heard him 
repeat that poem he loved so well, beginning : 

" There's a land far away, 'mid the stars, we are told. 

Where they know not the sorrows of time, 
Where the bright rivers wander through valleys of gold 

And life is a treasure sublime ! " 

Whatever he did, he sought to do well. His hand- 
writing was as plain as print. For more than half a cent- 
ury he kept a meteorological record and a daily register 
of the history and progress of his native village. Modest, 
amiable, and unassuming, he did his work quietly, but 
with the most scrupulous care, and with conscientious 
fidelity to duty. He lived to do good to others, and 
now, having passed within the " portals golden," he rests 
from his labors, his works follow him, and his memory is 
blessed. 





HENRY G. DEW1TT, D. D, 



Henry G. DeWitt, — Evangelist. 



Henry G. DeWitt was born Aug. 14, 1835, in Cato, 
Cayuga Co., N. Y. His father soon removed to an 
adjoining town, and his youthful days were spent near 
the shore of that beautiful sheet of water known as 
Owasco lake. He was converted when only five years of 
age, and at this time had his first call to preach the gos- 
pel. Before he was six years old, it was decided that he 
was to be a minister of Christ. This decision was not 
only fixed in his own conviction, but was also well under- 
stood by the family. No other thought in regard to the 
future entered their minds. Henry was to be a preacher. 
His whole after life until he entered the ministry, was 
spent in preparation for his great work, although neither 
his means nor his health permitted him to take a collegi- 
ate course of study. 

At the age of thirteen, he united with the " True Re- 
formed Dutch Church " of Owasco. zlfterward, being 
led by the conversion of his brother, Rev. M. H. DeWitt, 
to reflect upon immersion and believer's baptism, he be- 
came a Baptist, and was baptised, when seventeen years 
of age, by Rev. J. G. Moore, at South Butler, Wayne Co., 
N. Y. Continuing his studies, he was called to the pas- 
torate of the church in Burritt, 111., in 1857, when twenty- 
two years of age, and was ordained a few months later. 
Here he remained as pastor for one year, the numbers 
of the church being doubled in that time. He was then 
urgently solicited to devote himself to evangelistic work. 

One of his first meetings was held with the Farmer 
Village church, of which the veteran revivalist, Elder 



220 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Elijah Weaver, was pastor. Such was the interest mani- 
fested through the community in this wonderful work of 
grace that the schools in the neighborhood were closed, 
and meetings were held day and night. Nearly two hun- 
dred persons professed conversion. When Elder De- 
Witt preached his farewell sermon, the church was too 
small to hold the multitudes who came to hear him. 
From Farmer Village he went to Trumansburg, where 
Rev. C. L. Bacon was pastor. The revival here was the 
most wonderful the writer ever witnessed. The whole 
community was awakened. The inquirers were number- 
ed by scores and by hundreds. It is said that as many 
as three hundred " requested prayers " at one time. 
Evening after evening the Baptist church, the largest in 
the village, was filled to overflowing. The people came, 
not to criticise or to make sport, but because their anxie- 
ty would not let them stay away. The meetings were 
marked not by enthusiasm, but by earnestness and sol- 
emnity. Said a writer in the " Examiner and Chronicle : " 
" It is marvelous how God has wrought by the hand of 
this young servant. He comes before the people and 
talks the simple truths of the Gospel, in a humble, earn- 
est manner, and the Spirit takes these plain truths, and 
binds them upon the hearts of the listeners with a force 
that makes them feel." The converts were numbered by 
hundreds : all the churches in the neighborhood were re- 
vived. As the meetings progressed, the service of song 
became inspiring. All seemed to sing with the spirit, 
making melody in their hearts unto the Lord. Among 
the favorite hymns were " Homeward Bound," " Rest 
for the Weary," and " Soldiers of the Cross ! " In the 
summer of the following year, Mr. DeWitt held a meet- 
ing with the Romulus church, in which the power of the 
Word was wonderfully manifested. On one occasion it 
was estimated that three thousand people assembled to 
listen to the preacher. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 221 

Mr. DeWitt was married, in i860, to Louise Hopkins, 
of Covert, Seneca Co., who was converted under his 
preaching, and baptised by Rev. C. L. Bacon, uniting 
with the Trumansburg Baptist church. 

He has held over two hundred series of meetings : — 
four in Baltimore, three in New York City, five in Brook- 
lyn, four in Newark, two each in Trenton, Providence, 
Philadelphia, Boston, Salem, N. J., one each in Rochester, 
Troy,* Memphis, Tenn., Syracuse, Auburn, San Francisco. 
He has conducted meetings at the five educational cen- 
ters of the Baptist denomination : — Hamilton, Provi- 
dence, Rochester, Lewisburg, and Louisville, and these 
meetings were all unusually successful. 

Rev. Franklin Wilson, D. D., a clergyman of independ- 
ent fortune, residing in Baltimore, Md., heard of the suc- 
cess of the young evangelist, and offered to pay his salary 
if he would travel and preach in the south. Accepting 
this invitation, he spent nearly two years in the Southern 
States, beginning his work there with a four weeks' meet- 
ing at Washington, D. C. The church with which he 
labored saw its number of members, doubled. Afterward 
he assisted Rev. J. M. W. Williams, D. D., at the First 
Baptist church in Baltimore. The next winter he held 
two meetings in that city, the churches being revived 
and strengthened. 

He assisted the pastor of the Bedford Avenue church, 
Brooklyn, in a series of meetings which resulted in one 
hundred and sixty-nine additions to that church alone. 
He was called to the charge of a protracted meeting at 
Hamilton, and Rev. George W. Eaton, D. D., writes in 
the " Examiner and Chronicle : " " As many as three hun- 
dred converts and enquirers were together in the body of 
the house." Holding a meeting at Salem, N. J., five hun- 
dred persons united with the several churches, two hundred 
and eighty-seven with the First Baptist. A Memorial 
church was constituted as the result of that revival. 



222 Senfxa Baptist Association. 

He preached in Tremont Temple, Boston, and the pas- 
tor, Rev. J. D. Fulton, D. D., thus speaks of him : 

" Rev. H. G. DeWitt closed his labors in Tremont 
Temple on Thursday, in consequence of a telegram sum- 
moning him to the bed-side of his sick wife. We were 
sorry to part with him. He had endeared himself alike 
to pastor and people by his faithfulness as a preacher, 
and his devotion as a Christian. His preaching has won 
upon the people, and sinners who resisted the efforts put 
forth in their behalf during the previous winter have 
bowed in meek submission to Christ. The meetings have 
been without marked demonstration, but with great 
power. The rain has fallen quietly, but it has filled the 
channels with a life-giving stream which makes us all re- 
joice. As a laborer in the field of evangelism Bro. De- 
Witt has few if any superiors. He differs from other 
brethren in this field, but not for the sake of differing. 
He leans very heavily on the arm of Christ. He is loved 
in our homes, in our sanctuary, and by the great congre- 
gation, and our prayer is that God may bless him, and 
make him a long and lasting blessing to the Church of 
Christ." 

Of a meeting held at Plainfield, N. J., with seven 
churches, Rev. Dr. Robert Lowry, the well-known hymn 
writer, says in " The Watchman : " 

" A meeting of extraordinary power, under the leader- 
ship of Evangelist H. G. DeWitt has just closed at Plain- 
field. All the pastors co-operated, and all the churches 
were aroused and strengthened. During two weeks, over 
three hundred persons professed conversion. Bro. De- 
Witt commended himself to all Christian people by the 
earnestness of his preaching, and the tender spirit he ex- 
hibited in the inquiry meetings." 

Among the well-known pastors with whom he has la- 
bored in series of meetings are : Drs. Wayland Hoyt, T. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 223 

Edwin Brown, Lansing Burroughs, Richard Fuller, Wil- 
liam R. Williams, C. P. Sheldon, W. R. Brooks, Hiram 
U. Hutchins, W. H. Parmly, J. D. Fulton, J. O. Mason, 
Robert Lowry, A. S. Walsh, H. C. Fish, L. A. Dunn, J. 
D. Herr, and many others. Dr. T. Edwin Brown, of 
Rochester, says of Mr. DeWitt : " I am not much of an 
enthusiast concerning evangelists and their methods. 
Bro. DeWitt's work in Rochester was on the whole a suc- 
cessful and healthy one. He has tact, courtesy, sympathy, 
a pleasant manner, a warm heart. His preaching is large- 
ly illustrative. His methods, as such methods go, are 
simple, direct, and, judged by their results, wise. He 
is not ' greedy of filthy lucre. Of all the evangelists 
whose work I have seen he is the safest. I would, if the 
occasion seemed to call for such work, be glad to have 
him again, which is the highest tribute I can pay him. I 
think he means honestly to do Christ's work." 

In 1878, the degree of D. D., was conferred on Mr. De- 
Witt, by the Central University, of Iowa. For several 
years, when preaching with feeble churches, his salary 
was paid by Mr. J. Esty, the celebrated organ builder of 
Brattleboro, Vt. 

Some of his most important meetings have been held 
within the last four years. As the result of his first meet- 
ing at Newark, Dr. Fish baptised two hundred and fifty 
four persons. In its notice of this meeting the Newark 
Courier says : " Dr. Fish said last evening that the work 
exceeded anything he had ever witnessed, and called on 
all laborers to thrust in the sickle, and reap, as the harvest 
is ripe." The published sketches of revivals which have 
been conducted by Dr. DeWitt would fill volumes,had they 
been preserved. He has preached over eight thousand 
sermons and it is probable that twenty thousand per- 
sons have been led to see their need of a Savior in meet- 
ings he has conducted. 



224 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



The lines of Dr. DeWitt's life are closely interwoven 
with those of this Association. He is allied to it by mar- 
riage. Here he began his work as an evangelist. Here 
he was permitted to rejoice again and again in leading 
multitudes to the Savior. He may well be called the 
Evangelist of the Seneca Association. 

The secret of Mr. DeWitt's power is found in one 
word : Consecration ! He is noted for the earnestness 
and simplicity with which he presents the truth, and his 
aim seems to be not to startle or to dazzle men, but to 
tell them of Christ. His prayers at times seem to be more 
impressive than are his sermons. His eloquence is the 
more powerful because unstudied. He has scarcely pass- 
ed the morning of his manhood, and we may hope that 
great as has been the success of his labors in the past, 
they will be blessed yet more abundantly in the future. 



Pioneer Preachers. 



David Irish. 

The pioneer preacher of Cayuga County was David Irish, venerabile et 
nobilissime no?nen, a man who, like Minor Thomas, the first pastor at 
Covert, possessed rare qualifications for the special work to which he 
was called. He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., December 21, 
1757, ordained in 1789, and in 1794 emigrated to Scipio, Herkimer (now 
Ca)oiga) County. He preached the first sermon ever heard in Cayuga 
County, and, gathering a few of his neighbors, organized the first church, 
called the Baptist Church in Scipio. The little church received addi- 
tions by letter, but waited until July, 1797, to welcome the first member 
by baptism. The first case of discipline occurred in 1799, when a broth- 
er was excluded for neglect of family prayer. 

In 1800, Elder Irish became pastor of the church in Aurelius, now 
Fleming, which had been organized as the result of his labors in 1796. 
Here he remained for fifteen years, the devoted pastor of a united church. 
His labors here were richly blessed. For nine years in succession the 
church enjoyed annual seasons of refreshing, and during the fifteen years 
of Elder Irish's pastorate, nearly five hundred were added to the church. 
In the course of his ministry, Elder Irish baptised 1,280 persons. He 
died September 13, 1815, and their loss was bitterly lamented by the 
church, which had learned to love him as a father. 

David Irish was a man of the people. The secret of his success was 
found in his spirit of earnest consecration to hrs Master's service. He 
was patient, resolute, indefatigable. He had bitter enemies as well as 
warm friends, but he seemed to care neither for threats nor for commend- 
ations if he could but do the work the Master had marked out for him. 

Five years from the time he preached that first sermon in 1794, he was 
permitted to see in Cayuga county ten Baptist churches with five hundred 
members, nearly all of them looking to him as their spiritual father. 
Like Minor Thomas he was a missionary bishop whose care extended to 
"the regions lying beyond, "and we have record of his traveling on preach- 
ing circuits through the northern part of Seneca County. 

The historical sketch of the church in Hamburg, by Dea. Wm. War- 
ren, states that in Oct. 1810, the little band of Baptists in Aurora, Erie 
Co., was visited by Elder Irish, a missionary from Cayuga, who, in pass- 
ing through this wilderness, preached to them and constituted the Bap- 



226 Seneca Baptist Association. 

tist church of Willink. From the history of the churches in Pompey 
and in Camillus, we learn that in 1801. Elder Irish was accustomed to 
preach to the former in David Sweet's barn, and that he preached at 
Camillus and administered the ordinance of baptism, previous to 1810. 

John Peck. 

John Peck, afterward so celebrated as a pioneer in the Home Mission 
field, was born at South Farms, Connecticut. In 1811, he removed to 
Windham, Greene County, New York. Here he heard that Baptist meet- 
ings were held once a month in a school house five miles north of his 
home. On a pleasant summer morning in the month of August, a hus- 
band and wife, with their babe thirteen months old, might have been seen 
going up the steep winding mountain path to find that Baptist meeting- 
five miles away. Of course they were early at church. Those are usually 
so who love the services well enough to make sacrifices to attend them. 
As the brethren came in, they saw the strangers. They did not pass by 
on the other side, or wait for an introduction, but gave them a cordial 
hand-shake, and inquired if they were Baptists. Before the pastor, Eld- 
er Hermon Hervey, had taken his position behind the rough table which 
served for a pulpit, he was introduced to the two new neighbors, and 
the next month, in "a clear, beautiful mountain stream" not far from the 
school-house, John Peck and his wife were baptised. The next month 
he was licenced to preach. 

He soon engaged in missionary work, and became one of the best 
known and most successful of the early Baptist preachers. He was one 
of the founders of the Baptist Home Mission society, the "father" of 
Shurtleff College, secretary for several years of the Baptist Publication 
Society, and was well-known as an editor and an author. 

Alfred Bennett. 

Few names were more familiar to the early Baptists of Western New 
York than that of Alfred Bennett. As a friend of Hamilton Institution, 
as a representative of the State Convention, as a faithful missionary and 
an earnest preacher, he stood among the foremost of his brethren. He 
was born Sept. 26, 1780, in Mansfield, Conn. ; baptised in Feb. 1800, at 
Hampton, Conn. Married 1802, to Rhoda, daughter of Dea. Thomas 
Grow, of Hampton, removed to Homer, N. Y. 1803, was licensed Nov. 
1805, and ordained June 18, 1807, Ashbel Hosmer preaching the ordina- 
tion sermon. From that time, his labors in the ministry were unceasing. 

Pastor at Homer for more than twenty-five )^ears, one of the first to en- 
gage in missionary work among the Oneida Indians, he was best known 
as the representative of the Missionary Union, in whose service he made 
repeated journeys through the Southern and Western States. Unskilled 
in the learning of the schools, his strong common-sense and logical mind 
gave him power as a sermonizer, while his acute sensibility to the hu- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 227 

morous or the pathetic, gave to his rough-hewn castles of thought and ex- 
pression the ornaments of eloquence. Gentle and loving as a little 
child, yet he was a lion when aroused as the champion of the oppressed. 
He lived to preach the funeral sermons of his co-laborers, Nathaniel 
Kendrick and John Peck, and his last discourse before the Seneca Bap- 
tist Association was commemorative of the death of the heroic Judson. 
He died, May jo, 185 1, his friend and fellow-laborer, Lewis Leonard, 
preaching the funeral sermon from Rev. T4:i3. His memoir, by Rev. Dr. 
H. Harvejr, was published in 1852. 

Peter P. Roots. 

Elder Peter Philanthropos Roots is said to have been the only one of 
the early Baptist preachers in Central New York who had received a col- 
lege education. He was a logician rather than an orator, concise and 
methodical in his manner of composition. He was sometimes accused 
of indolence, but we have testimony that after riding ten or twelve miles, 
through the swamps and over the hills, on the corduroy roads of the pio- 
neers, he could then preach a good sermon on a Sunday morning. It is 
said that for eighteen years he served as a missionary, often without com- 
pensation, each year riding three thousand miles, and preaching three 
hundred sermons. 

John Caton. 

One of the most noted among the early preachers of Seneca county was. 
Elder John Caton, pastor at Romulus. He was a Virginian by birth, 
and served in the Revolutionary army as a member of Washington's body 
guard. When in 1825, the Marquis De LaFayette, on his last visit to 
America, was at Waterloo, he recognized, in the throng by which he 
was surrounded, his old companion in arms, John Caton, and calling 
him by name to his side, embraced him with a fraternal greeting. 

At the close of the war, Mr. Caton removed to Cornwall, Orange Co., 
N. Y., where he was ordained pastor of a new church, Nov. 30, 1790. 
For a number of years, he was pastor of the strong church at Brookfield, 
or Slate Hill, in Orange Co. 

He had four sons, John, Robert, Ferris and Everson, and five daugh- 
ters, Betsey, Penelope, Ann, Debby and Jerusha. He removed to 
Ohio about 1830 and died at the home of one of his children in Zanes- 
ville. 

Elder Sheardown gives an amusing account of his first acquaintance 
with this veteran pastor, The latter came to Catlin to visit former mem- 
bers of his congregation, and to learn whether their )'oung minister was 
"sound in the faith." We condense the account found in Sheardown's 
autobiography, "Elder Caton was a very large man in body, mind and 
will, and imbued with all the spirit of the Revolution." He said to his 
friend, referring to the pastor. "Brother Abraham, is he sound. There 



228 Seneca Baptist; Association. 

are so many of these young upstarts who are rotten Arminians ? " The 
preacher, happil)' forewarned, began his discourse with a long quotation 
from Paul's epistles, relative to the doctrines of election and justification. 
The old gentleman was satisfied. " He rose up in his majestv, en- 
dorsed the doctrine, eulogized the speaker, and expressed his gratifica- 
tion to learn that he was not trammeled with Arminian stuff. " He 
promised soon to pay these friends another visit, and came in Dec. 1828. 
We were rejoiced at the coming of the patriarch, and sought to make 
him as comfortable as possible. He being very corpulent, as well as 
aged, we always minded to give him a good locality in the ox-sled by 
which we moved him from place to place. 

Alter having attended a meeting in the afternoon, when he preached 
plump two hours, if not a trifle over, we loaded up our precious freight, 
Dominie, brethren, sifters and children. Our path lay through the 
woods, just wide enough for a sled to pass, winding about among the 
trees. Near the top of a steep descent, the sled beginning to crowd the 
oxen, they had an inclination to run away. Abraham, the pilot, hallooed 
at the top of his voice : ' Whoa ! hoi ! gee ! ' but the oxen minded not. 
Increasing their speed at every step, they caught the sled against a sap- 
pling which swept off into the snow the temporary box, and all the 
passengers except the minister. I started with all speed on the track, 
(for I then could run like Cushi,) expecting every moment to find our 
guest lying in the snow, if nothing worse. Having run three-quarters of 
a mile, I saw, on the plain below, the breath of the oxen rising up like 
the smoke of a furnace. They had stopped of their own accord ; and lo 
and behold ! there sat the good old man, with his feet stretched out be- 
fore him upon the only bottom board left on the sled, with his hands 
clinched, almost with a dying grip, on each side of the board. He look- 
ed up with a perfect stare of amazement, and before I could ask if he 
was hurt, he exclaimed : ' I didn't know but I was going into eternity, 
but I thought I would hold on to my board.' The perspiration was 
standing in great drops upon his face. ' I have had a great many rides 
in my life,' said he, 'but never before such a ride as I have had this 
afternoon.' " 

Aaron Abbott. 

This well-known early pastor in the Seneca Association was born 
near Keene, New Hampshire, June 7. 1794. His parents moved to 
Oneida Co. N. Y., in 1805. Educational advantages were limited, and 
those of Mr. Abbott were confined to six weeks instruction in the dis- 
trict school. He taught himself to write in most touching circumstances. 
When eleven years old he was bound out to a farmer. Being treated un- 
kindly, he learned to print the letters of the alphabet, using the floor of 
his chamber for a writing-book, and a stick for a pen. At last the home- 
sick boy was enabled to send a rude letter to his parents, who soon 




" rJl 'l4 

AARON ABBOTT. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 229 

came to take him home again. He was a great lover of books, and 
while working at the carpenter's bench, kept an open grammar or 
arithmetic before him. In 1813, he married Polly Frost, who proved to 
him a help-meet indeed, relieving him of a multitude of cares, and 
enduring such privations as only ministers' wives knew in those days of 
self-sacrifice. He removed to Virgil, then in Broome Co., and united 
with the Virgil Valley Baptist church. Here he was licensed, and soon 
became a popular preacher. His discourses were extemporaneous, yet 
thoroughly prepared. It was the utterance, not the thought which was 
extempore. He was a diligent student ol the Scriptures, and well in- 
structed in doctrine. 

In T824, at thirty years of age, he became pastor at Covert, where he 
remained for three years. In 1827, he succeeded Rev, O. C. Comstock 
at Trumansburg, where he was pastor for seven 3 r ears. His labors 
during this decade were abundantly blessed. Multitudes were led to 
confess Christ, nearly one hundred being added to the Trumansburg 
church by baptism during one year. He enjoyed the confidence and af- 
fection of such brethren in the ministry as Elders Sears, Ford, Miller, 
Shedd, Gillette, Woolsey, Woodworth and Sheardown. About this 
time three-days meetings became popular ; these pastors would respond 
to a brother's call, the churches were built up, and conversions were 
multiplied. In 1834, Elder Abbott moved to the West, thinking that he 
might be useful in establishing churches and in preaching Christ in the 
new communities. The last sermon in Trumansburg must be preached. 
Man)' an eye unused to weep dropped a tear as Elder Abbott said fare- 
well. It was a severe trial for the pastor and his wife, a severe trial for 
the people of his charge. 

On the morning of May 5th, 1834, the family assembled at Deacon 
John McLallen's home, and after hand-shakings and good-bys, the 
Elder and his load started up the hill toward Covert, singing one of the 
hymns then most familiar : "Sweet bower, I must leave you." In 
about three weeks, they reached their new home in Ohio, — a shanty 12 x 
18, with elm bark roof, no windows, door, or floor. Three miles away 
was Fairfield, Huron Co., and here Elder Abbott soon began preaching 
the gospel be loved. 

The greater part of his work as pastor was given to the churches at 
Fairfield and at Norwalk, in Huron Co., but invitations to preach came 
from every quarter and were seldom declined. "It was no uncommon 
thing" says his biographer "for a congregation to be melted to tears, as 
the truth came warm from an overflowing heart and from lips touched 
with divine love." His toils were excessive, and thirteen years after he 
left Trumansburg, Feb. 2d 1*847, a t the age of fifty three years, Elder 
Abbott fell asleep in Jesus. He died in the full and joyful expecta- 
tion of immortality, mourned by all who knew him. During his last 



230 Seneca Baptist Association. 

sickness the gospel of Jesus was his constant theme. Twelve years 
afterward his beloved companion joined him on the other shore. Two 
of his sons have been for thirty-five years in the ministry, one, 
Aaron D. is yet on the walls of Zion, the other James R., laid aside from 
active labors, waits for the Master to call him home. 

Elder T. S. Sheardown. 

Thomas Simpson Sheardown was born November 4th, 1791, near 
Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England. He was baptized 1812, uniting 
with a church in Hull, of which Rev. William Arbon was pastor. He 
was soon called to improve his gift for public speaking at the out-stations 
of the church. In 1814 he married Esther Glassam. In 1820 he emi- 
grated to America, and meeting, at Newburg.men from the lake country, 
settled in Covert, Seneca county, in October 1820. Here he found a 
sympathizing friend in Dea. Lewis Porter. He was distrusted, at first, 
by some of the Christians in Covert, but Elder Aaron Abbott had faith 
in him, and induced him to unite with the church by relating his experi- 
ence. In 1826, he settled in the woods of Catlin, Chemung county. Not 
a tree had been cut on his farm. He built a log house and organized a 
Baptist conference, which was afterward recognized as the church in 
Catlin. Here he was visited and encouraged by Dea. Nathan Cole of 
Covert, and was licensed in July, 1828. Speaking.in his autobiography, 
of the Seneca Association and the churches in that garden of the State, 
he exclaims : ''Truly the Lake country is the land of Baptists." In 
December, 1828, he was ordained as pastor at Catlin, by a council of 
the Seneca Association. He soon began to preach as an itinerant, 
traveling through southern New York and northern Pennsylvania, 
preaching in barns, saw mills, school houses, and in the open air. 

In 1832, he organized a church at Catlin. In 1830. he received his first 
invitation to attend a three-days meeting, at Trumansburg. He assisted 
Rev. Z. Freeman in a revival at Seneca Falls, preaching about the "Old 
Ship Zion," to the boatmen and ship carpenters. He assisted his 
cherished friend, Rev. A. C. Mallory, in a protracted meeting at his first 
charge at Wayne. He assisted in a meeting at Scott's Corners where 
Lewis Ransted was pastor, and preached what he called an "agricul- 
tural sermon, " to which the farmers were especially invited to listen. 

In 1844, he labored with Rev. V. R. Hotchkiss, at the Second Church 
in Rochester, and a gracious revival was the result. He became pastor 
at Reading, in 1844, preaching occasionally at Jefferson, now Watkins, 
where a Baptist church was soon constituted. He labored for a time at 
Hornellsville, removed thence to Southport,and afterward, i860, to Troy, 
Bradford county, Pa. Elder Sheardown baptized over 1,400 believers, 
thinks that he preached more than 12,000 sermons, and gave 20,000 
religious addresses, aided in organizing seven churches, and in resusci- 
tating several others. His first wife died in 1854. He married, in 



Seneca Baptist Association. 231 

1855, Mrs. Lorrin A. Soper, who survives him. He died at Troy, Pa., 
July 30th, 1874, having been for fourteen years the loved and honored 
pastor of the church in that place. 

His autobiography, published in 1865, gives an interesting account of 
his eventful life and his abundant labors. It was edited by the historian 
O. N. Worden, with preface by Elder Sheardown's Fidus Achates, Rev. 
A. C. Mallory, and includes with other contributions a letter from his 
loved fellow laborer, Rev. B. R. Swick, then pastor at Ogden, N. Y. 

Baptist Pioneers. 

The following touching and appreciative words were written in 1847, by 
President Martin B. Anderson, then a Professor in Waterville College, 
Maine. Speaking of the Baptist pioneer preachers, he says : 

" Their vocation was emphatically to preach the gospel to the poor, 
to travel from place to place among the new settlements, and feed the 
famished inhabitants with the bread of life. Often with no books but 
the Bible and a collection of hymns, did these men go forth on their mis- 
sions of mercy, making their way through the unbroken forests by the 
guidance of " spotted " trees, laboring with their own hands during the 
intervals of preaching for their support— yet amid all these trials, car- 
lying on the work of their Divine Master with zeal and power which 
proved them the real successors of the Apostles and Martyrs of the 
primitive church. They were indeed a class of men of whom the world 
is not worthy. What though the memory of them is fast fading away, the 
result of their labors is eternal. Their reward is on high. The jewels 
in their crowns of rejoicing will immeasurably outshine those of thous- 
ands of the ministers of religion whom this world has delighted to honor. 
It pains us to hear such men called " ignorant. " They were not igno- 
rant. They had studied men. They had studied their own hearts. They 
drew their theology directly from the Bible. They knew how to make 
the truths of religion bear upon the consciences of men. There was 
vigor and freshness in their thoughts, for they were their own ; there 
was fervor and sincerity in them, for they gushed from hearts glowing 
with love to souls. Let not men who could wield the sword of the Spirit 
as they did be called " ignorant. " God forbid that we should say ought 
to disparage profound and varied learning, such as is taught in our 
schools ! When we survey the labors and successes of these men, we 
are constrained to exclaim : ' There were giants in those days.'" 



Statistical Sketches. 



[Abbreviations: Pastor, P.. Baptised, B'd. Licensed, L.. Ordained, O.. University of 
Rochester, U. of K.. Madison University, M. U. Rochester Theological Seminary, R. T. S. 
( i ), one year.] , 



Aaron D. Abbott. 
i 

Born in Berkshire, N. Y., July 2, 1802. B'd. Fairfield, O., 1836, by 
S. Wadsworth. L.. Bronson, 1844. O., Auburn, O., April, 1847. P.". 
Auburn, (6); Bellevue, (2); Ag't for Norwalk Sem., P.. Fitchville 
and New London ; Fairfield ; Newark, where his health failed ; Allen 
Prairie, Mich. Here an attack of acute bronchitis resulted in loss of 
voice. Saw mournful days. In business. On a journey through N. Y., 
found unexpectedly that he could spend Sunday at his old home, which 
he had not visited for forty years. Wandered through the streets of 
Trumansburg that Saturda)' night, thinking of boyhood, of father and 
mother, of life's changes. At church next morning recognized one of 
the deacons. Soon afterward received call to Mecklenburg, ( 2). At 
Enfield 1877-78. Has been twice married, to Phoebe M. Cherrv, of No. 
Fairfield, O., April 25, 1842 ; to Emily F. Wood, Dec. 7 1856. 

Silas Hobart Adams. 

Born in Vernon, N. Y,, Jan. 15, 1845. B'd. Cleveland. March 25, 
i860. Grad. with high honors at Hamilton Coll., Clinton, J865. Taught 
in Ithaca Academy. In Class of 1870, R, T. S. Died, at Rochester, 
March 5, 1870. Acting pastor at Ithaca. 1869. Preached at Macedon 
and at Penn Yan. A memorial was published by J. P. Bishop, assisted 
by Prof. T. C. Jerome. 

In his address to the graduating class of the Seminary, May, 1870, 
President E. G. Robinson thus alluded to his death: 

" One sad thought, however, thrusts itself on our gladness to-day. 
The vacant place speaks to us of one whom we can never forget. Long, 
and far, and patiently, had he traveled with you in your course of stud)% 
ever abreast of the foremost of your number, his eye steadily on the great 
work which was at last but just before him, when a few weeks ago, sick- 
ening, he fell by the way, and with smitten hearts you laid him away in 
his last resting pla<*e. Your classmate, Adams, gentle but firm, modest 
but manly, inquisitive but devout, was also diligent and scholarly, and 
thoroughly loyal to your common Master. His life ended abruptly and 
early, but it ended well. May his memory abide with you as a precious 
legacy, quickening and purifying the spirit of your service, and keeping 
you ever ready in yourselves and in your work, for the coming of the 
message that has called him so early away, and that sooner or later will 
summon us each to his final account." 



Seneca Baptist Association. 233 

Lynn B. Albert. 

Born East Germantown, Wayne Co. Ind., Aug. 7, 1855. Studied at 
Dansville Sem'y. L.. Dansville, N. Y. Aug. 15,^1877. Assisted C. W. 
Brooks in evangelistic work. Pastor at Ovid, 1878. 

Moses E. Arkills. 

Born Ulster Co, N. Y. Jan. 7, 1826. United with M. E. church 1843. 
Married Rachel A. Bartlett, of Newfield, Feb. 2, 1857. B'd. 1858, by F. 
Dusenberry. L.. same day. O.. Nov. 26, 1858. Wm. Spaulding preach- 
ing the sermon. P.. West Danby ; Enfield, 1859-63 ; Catlin and Dix, 
( 2 ). Now at Rudd, Iowa. 

Charles L. Bacon 

Born Spafford, Onon. Co. N. T., Jan. 21, 1813. Grad. with honor, 
M. U., 1838. Married Mary L. Baker, Hamilton, 1838. O.. Feb. 13, 
1840. P.. Medina, Lenawee Co., and Brooklyn, Mich. : Mount Morris, 
N. Y. ( 5) ; Trumansburg, ( 15 ) respected and honored in the communi- 
ty, abundantly blessed in pastoral labors. In 1861, preached annual 
sermon at Baptist State Convention at Albany. P.. Reading, Schuyler 
Co., and Townsend, (6); Big Flats, Chemung Co. We quote from 
biographical sketch in county history: 

" For forty years he has been an earnest and successful minister of the 
gospel, having baptised over five hundred persons, preached six hun- 
dred funeral sermons, married nearly five hundred couples. In 1861-2, 
he took a decided stand for the Union, and labored day and night to 
raise volunteers." 

He was appointed chaplain of the 85th N. Y. S. V., but before he 
reached the regiment they were taken prisoners. He married, for his 
second wife. Mrs. Sarah S. Minier, of Big Flats. For many years Mr. 
Bacon has been an able and eloquent advocate of the cause of temper- 
ance. Resides at Big Flais. 

Benjamin F. Balcom. 

Born Oxford, Chenango Co. N. Y.. Jan. 11, 1810. A son of Samuel 
Balcom, and brother of Judge Lyman Balcom, the late Judge Ransom 
Balcom, and Rev. George Balcom. Married Eliza A., daughter of Rus- 
sell Root, of Oxford, Jan 8, 1829. Moved to Steuben Co., in 1829 ; 
where he was very successful in business. Converted when twenty-five 
years of age ; made the Bible his study. L.. 1842, by Campbell and 
Irwin church. O.. March 1843. P.. at Corning (4) ; Bath, (1) ; Paint- 
ed Post, where he organized the church, (4 ) ; Hornby ( 1 ) ; Campbell 
and Erwin, ( 1 ). For nearly thirty years labored as an evangelist in 
Steuben and neighboring Associations, his labors haveing been blessed 
to the awakening of multitudes, and to the up-building of many church- 
es. In the Seneca Association his name is a household word. 

George Balcom. 

Born, Oxford, Chenango Co., Feb. 6, 1823. ( Brother of B. F. Balcom ) 
Born again, Oxford, 1853. B'd. by Elijah Baldwin, March 27, 1853. L.. 
Oxford, Ma} r 18, 1853. Began work as an evangelist at Afton O.. 
Oct. 4, 1854. Held revival meetings in New York, Pa., N. J., and 
the Western States. In 1870, took up a homestead of 160 acres in 
Kansas, and has been supplying feeble churches, " preaching for noth- 
ing and boarding himself." Indian Agent, and first Baptist preacher in 
Nevada, in 1871. Has held a number of meetings in Colorado and in 
California. Is holding a series of meetings at Leadville, Col. Organ- 



to 



234 Seneca Baptist Association. 

ized many new churches in Kansas. Often aided pastors in the Seneca 
Association, and held revival meetings, at Watkins, Bennettsburg 
Romulus, Farmer Village and Peach Orchard, which were blessed 
the ingathering of many converts. 

Samuel M. Bainbridge. 

Born, Romulus, Seneca Co N. Y., 1816 L. 1836. Grad. M. U. 
1841. P.. Stockbridge, N. Y., where he was ordained ; Avon, ( 5 ) ; 
York, (3); Wheatland (2); Penn Yan, (5); Painted Post, (3); 
Elmira Central, ( 2 ) ; Died at Elmira, Jan 1, 1865. During his last 
illness his faith was strong. He had a large family, and felt a natural 
anxiety for them ; but repeating to his wife the words of David : — " A 
father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy 
habitation," — he exclaimed : " Is not that enough ?" and seemed to for- 
get his anxious care. He enjoyed many revivals as the fruit of his la- 
bors. His mother, wife of Cyrus Bainbridge, was a decided Presbyterian, 
and her thirteen children being*all Baptists, she was acccustomed to say 
that she was like a hen who had hatched a brood of ducks. 

Charles Edmund Barto. 

Born, Trumansburg, N. Y. June 19. 1840, B'd. by C. L. Bacon, 
Nov. 22, 1857. Grad. U. R. 1862. Grad. R. T. S. 1867. O. Union- 
town, Pa., Feb. 6, 1868. Agent A. S. S. U. ( 1 ). P.. Uniontown ( 4). 
Agent for Mt. Pleasant Institution. P.. Lock Haven, laid aside by 
hemorrhage. Officer of Am. Tract Soc. (4), and during "the Centen- 
nial." Instrumental in building a house of worship at Uniontown. 
Represents A. T. S., in Pa. N. J., and Del. Married, Feb, 25, 1873, to 
Selina A. Ackley, of Allegheny Citv. Is an author and a poet. 

Allen R. Beach. 

Born, 1797. Was a school teacher and pioneer preacher. Began his 
work of teaching when he was fifteen years of age, and continued it for 
thirty years, engaging also in pastoral work. O.. Springfield, N. Y., 
1834. P.. Springfield, Westmoreland, Newfield, Painted Post, Victory, 
Richland, Columbus. Preached his last sermon on his 76th birthday. 
Died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. B. Campbell, at Hamilton, N. 
Y., May 3, 1879. His son < Hon - Allen C. Beach, (grad Union Coll.) 
has been Lieut. Gov., and is now Secretary of State of New York. Of 
Rev. Allen R. Beach, his pastor, Dr. J. M. Stifler, says : 

" Mr. Beach was eminently a good man, possessed of clear intellect, 
an even temperament and sound judgment, both in the pulpit and out, 
drawing to himself unlimited confidence from all who knew him. Peace- 
fully and almost painlessly he passed away, full of years and esteemed 
of all his acquaintances." 

Charles E. Becker. 

O. Amenia, April 16, 1868. P.. Medina 1873-74. The church here 
speak in high praise of his labors and add in their letter to Association: 
" His memory will ever be dear to this people." 

F. M. Beebe. 

Born, Georgetown, Mad. Co., April 26, 1841. United with West 
Eaton church, 1861. In M. U. 1861. Enlisted as private soldier in 
1862, and served during the war, receiving a severe wound. In M. U. 
1865. O.. Coventry, 1869. P.. Coventry. In Nebraska, (2.) P.. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 235 

Chittenango, 1873 ; In Theol. Sem. M. U.. 1873. P.. New London, q. 
1875 Health failed. P.. Waterloo, Nov. 1876. 

David Bellamy. 

Born, Kingsbury, Washington Co., May 19, 1806. Converted, but 
not baptised, at ten years of age. Decided to consecrate himself to 
Christ B'd. 1830. His first pastorate was at Cazenovia ; his last at 
Rome, where after five years spent in happy, fruitful labors, he fell 
asleep in Jesus. M U. gave him honorary A. M. Concerning his life 
we hear but one voice, and that is the voice of praise. He was able as 
a preacher, kind and winning as a pastor. 

Varanus Bemus. 

Born, Marlboro. N. H. Dec. 9, 1802, B'd 1816. Grad. M. U. 1828. 
L.. Lebanon, May 26. 1827. O.. Newfield, May 6, 1829. P.. Angelica, 
1842 ; Almond, Allegany Co., for many years his labors being greatly 
blessed Often preached in protracted meetings. P . Clear Creek, 
Ashville. Died at Ashville, N. Y. Oct. 5, 1856. 

Charles W. Brooks. 

Born, Solon, Cortland Co., Aug. 25, 1836. B'd. East Pharsalia, 
Chen'g. Co., Aug. 1852. L.. July 10, 1859. P-- Killawog, i860. Mar- 
ried Elsie A. Green, of East Pharsalia, Aug. i860. O.. Triangle, July 
16, 1862 ; P.. Triangle, 1862 ; Hedgesville, Steuben Co., 1866, preach- 
ing also at East Camden and Woodhull. Appointed Dist. Mis'y. for 
Southern N. Y., and Northern Pa. In this State Convention work for 
four years. P.. Watkins, 1875. Once more Missionary of State Con- 
vention in 1875. His work has been, shirking neither responsibility 
nor labor, to build up small and dependent churches. Retains his mem- 
bership in the Seneca Association. 

A. J. Brown. 

Born, Constantia, Oswego Co., 1850. His father enlisting in Union 
army, the son was "bound out." Converted, 1867, under preaching of 
E. P. Hammond. B'd. in Syracuse. Studied at Cazenovia and united 
with M. E. church. Pastor of M. E. church at West Danby. United 
with Scott's Corners Baptist church. L.. 1879. O.. May 7, 1879. Rev. 
A. D. Abbott, Moderator, L. B. Albert, clerk of council. Pastor at 
Scott's Corners. 

George Brown. 

Born, Bristol, Eng. 1840. Converted, 1857. Worked at his trade by 
day and studied theology at night B'd. at Bristol, into the church of 
Geo. Muller, the mighty man of faith. Married Emma J. Popplestone, 
of Bristol, March 30, 1866. P.. Catlin and Dix, in Moreland, N. Y., 
where he was ordained, Aug. 3, 1869. P.. Tioga Center, (7) Caroline 
from April 1, 1870. 

N. C. Brunuage. 

Born, Aug. 2, 1845 ; B'd. Corning, 1861. L.. at Campbell and Irwin, 
Feb. 25, 1871. O.. Towlesville, Oct. 3r, 1874, J. W. Emory preaching 
the ordination sermon. Rev'ds. L. Braisted, J. C. Mallory, J. C. 
Rooney and E. L. Millis participating. P.. Towlesville, (4) ; Chemung, 
(2) ; Mecklenburg, from April 1, 1878. 



236 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



James R. Burdick. 



Grad. Brown University, 1822. L.. Providence, R. I. ; P.. Ithaca, 
1832. Mis'y. of State Conv. in Bradford and Tioga counties, Pa., where 
he organized several churches. Died near Syracuse, Feb. 8. 1867, aged 
seventy years. A man of peace. 

Henry S. Card. 

Born, Nelson, Mad. Co., Jan. 4, 1816. Joined M. E. church, 1836. 
B'd. Erieville, 1839. M. U. (2 ). O . Clear Creek, May 4, 1843. P.. Clear 
Creek ; Hinsdale, Mich., (8) ; Sandusky, O. (5) ; Watkins, (4); Lodi, (4). 
Died at Watkins July 23, 1873. A man of fervent piety, ever loyal to 
the truth. His name is held in high esteem in the churches. 

Calvin Greene Carpenter. 

Born, Fairfield. N. Y., Dec. 22, 1800. United with Whitesboro 
church Oct. 11, 1818, there licensed. O.. Fairfield, Feb., 1821. P.. 
Fairfield, ( 10), Preached at Norway, Salisbury, Little Falls, Whitesboro. 
P.. Little Falls, 1831-5 ; Ithaca, 1835-7 ; Romulus, 1838-42 ; Phelps, 
1843-8. A fellow student of Wade, Kincaid, Wall, Stearns. Goodale 
and Blood, at Fairfield and Whitesboro. before the Institution at Hamil- 
ton was born. With Galusha, Willey, Lathrop, and others, established 
the Baptist Register, 1824. Agent of N. Y., Bap. Mis'y. Conv.. 1824, 
and again in 1834; Sec'y. of that body 1827-35. P-- Geneva, 1853-5 I 
Elbridge, 1858-60 ; Phelps Village, 1862-64. Received honorary A. M., 
from M. U., 1852. Married Laura Haskins, Dec. 1, 1825 ; Married his 
second wife, Nancy Munroe, Aug. 19,1834. His son, Calvin Hassehine, 
distinguished as a physician, died of dyptheria, Dec. 1, 1878, at Geneva. 
His second son, Stephen Haskins Carpenter, LL. D., a Professor 
in Wisconsin State Univ., and an author of repute, died Dec. 7, 1878. 
Mr. Carpenter now resides at Phelps. 

Allen Benedict Chase. 
« 

Born, Jerusalem, Yates Co. N. Y , Dec. 7, 1824. Studied at Hamil- 
ton. B'd Bath, July. 1843, by W. G. Raymond. P.. Towlesville, 1848. 
O.. Cameron, July 17, 1850 ; P.. Townsend, 1851 ; Reading, 1854 ; 
Middlesex, 1865 ; Phelps Village, 1867 ; Tioga, 1868 ; Mecklenburg, 
1872 ; Caroline, 1875. Since 1877, Agt. A. and F. Bible Society. Mar- 
ried at Towlesville, Sept. 17, 1850, Eliz B Towles, who died Nov. 26, 
1851. Married M. Cordelia Horton, of Cameron. Resides at Painted 
Post. 

Increase Child. 

Born, Greenfield, Saratoga Co., Dec. 10, 1827; B'd. Gorham, 1842, by 
U. B. Miller. Grad. U. R.. 1859 O.. Towanda, Pa., Oct. 1859. Grad. 
R. T, S. 1864. P . Trumansburg, ( 1) ; Xenia, O.; Madison, O. ; Con- 
neaut. O., (7) ; Married June 5, 1850, A. L. Lincoln of Gorham, N. Y., 
who died Sept. 2, 1875 ; Married (Sept. 2, 1875,) for his second wife 
Addie F. Flagg, formerly of Trumansburg. Pastor at Frewsburg, N. Y. 

A. D. Clark. 

Born, Italy, Yates Co., Nov. 2, 1849. Grad. M. U., 1875. Married 

Emma Carpenter, of Pultney, June 29, 1875. B'd. L.. and O.. Italy 

Hollow, which was also his first charge. O.. Aug. 23, 1876. P.. Italy 
Hollow, ( 2 ) ; Bennettsburg from June, 1878. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 237 

Bradbury S. Clay. 

Born, Portsmouth, N. H., iygo.United with M. E. church 1809. 
Ordained deacon, May 19, 18)7, his certificate being stamped with the 
signet of Bishop Enoch George Circuit rider for five years. Became a 
Baptist. Married, near Auburn, N. Y., Mary Raymer, still living at 
the age of 78, at Adrian, Mich. O.. Burnt Hills Jan. 22, 1821, and com- 
mended in a certificate signed by Francis Wayland, "to the Christian 
love of the churches of our denomination in particular, to the notice and 
respect of all Christians of every denomination, to the protection of all 
magistrates, and to the respect and acceptance of mankind in general." 
P.. Winfield ; Leroy ; Farmer Village ; Goshen, Ind.; Door Village, la.; 
Agt. of Free Mission Convention, 1853. Died at Boonville. Missouri, 
Aug. 15, 1869. His letters from the churches commend him as " an 
orthodox, acceptable preacher, of stainless character." 

Adams Cleghorn. 

Born, Edinburg, Scotland, Jan. 1814. Came to U. S., 1852. B'd. 
June 6 1830, by Dr. Wm. Hague, at Utica, L.. Trumansburg, 1833. 
Grad. M. U., 1837. Taught at Lockport. Married Asenath E Stone, 
of Lockport, 1840. O.. Lewiston, April, 14, 1841. P.. Lewiston and 
Niagara Falls, ( 7). The first to administer baptism at Niagara Falls. 
P.. St. Catherines, C. W. 1844. Organized church at Niagara Falls, 
and at Fort Hill. P.. Paris, C. W. 1848 54 ; Adams Village, N. Y., 
(3) ; Belleville, 1857. In 1862, Capt. 10th N. Y., Artillery, U. S. V. 
Served under Gen. Sheridan. Compelled to resign, by fever, 1865 Pas- 
tor of North church, N. Y. City, ( 3) ; Ottawa, 111., 7 ; Champaign, 111., 
1874-8. Resides at Marcus, la., preaching as opportunity offers. Re- 
ceived honorary A. M., from U. of R., 1854, D. D. from M. U., 1869. 
He wishes it to be distinctly stated that he is a Baptist of the old school, 
wholly opposed to modern ways of promoting the Lord's work. He 
never held a protracted meeting in his life, nor ever asked a person to 
come to an "anxious seat." He is and has been "wholly opposed to 
all such clap-trap," and is fully persuaded that " the namby-pamby 
religion in ; and the weakness of our church life is the legitimate result 
of filling up our churches with the riff-raff brought in through these 
charlatans called Evangelists, and the sooner the churches and pastors 
discard them the better it will be for saints and sinners." His picture 
would probably be incomplete without this touch of color from his own 
brush. 

Chester Coburn. 

An early member of Trumansburg church. O.. Enfield, June, 1820. 
P.. Enfield and Danby, In 1824, a Missionary in Western N. Y. P.. 
Friendship, where he died Jan. 18, 1828, aged forty years. His labors 
were indefatigable. During his long illness he was an example of 
patient waiting. He was a man to win love, and his memory is revered, 
His son, Minor T. Coburn, is deacon of the church in Trumansburg. 

Jirah D. Cole. 

Born, Catskill, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1802. B'd. March 4, 1821. Grad. 
Hamilton Institution, 1826. L.. Catskill, Sept. 7, 1825, Married Fran- 
ces Leonard, of Senrett, N. Y., Sept. 13, 1826. Preacher at Greenville. 
O.. Ogden, Sept. 11, 1827. P,. Ogden, (4); Fredonia ; Supply at 
Second church Rochester; P.. Fabius, (2). In 1839, assisted the 
venerable Alfred Bennett, in the Foreign Mission agency. P.. Ithaca, 
1842; Whitesboro, 1843. In 1844, elected Sec'y. of the Executive Board 



238 Seneca Baptist Association. 

of N. Y. Mis'y Conv.. and held this ( the executive) office for six years. 
P.. Nunda, 1848. In 1850, Agent of A. B. M. U,, for the Western Dist., 
with headquarters at Chicago, for seven years. P.. Delevan, Wis. Mrs. 
Cole died, 1857, and he married, in 1858, Eliz. LaBarr, of Delevan. P.. 
Barry; Galva ; Cordova; Atlanta; Lockport ; all in 111.; and Valpa- 
raiso, Ind. In 1876, his second wife died, and soon afterward he was 
called to bury his oldest son, a prominent business man in Chicago. He 
has two children now living. In 1869, he published the history of the 
Rock Island ( 111.) Association. At the Semi-centennial Commence- 
ment of Madison University, he was appointed a member of the editorial 
committee to prepare the Jubilee History, and was given the most dif- 
ficult part of the work, — the sketches of students of the first decade. He 
gave five months to this historical work, and then yielding to entreaty, 
five months more to preparing sketches of men of later decades. The 
Madison Semi-centennial Jubilee offering, b)- which the Institution re- 
ceived $130,000 endowment, had its initiative in a resolution offered by 
Jirah D. Cole in a meeting of Hamilton Alumni, at Chicago. In Oct. 
last, Dr. Cole finished his history of the Baptists of Illinois which is to 
be published by the Illinois Baptist General Association. It will be the 
first Baptist State history. Since he finished his historial work, Dr. 
Cole has been preaching at Rozetta, 111. He writes that he "is very 
much alone in the world, but cannot be idle while able to work." He 
is seventy-seven years of age. in good health, preaches two sermons on 
Lord's day, and is able to make his pastoral calls on foot. He was one 
of the most popular of the pastors of Western New York, an able 
sermonizer, and a winning pastor. It was said of him that "his first 
sermon was a volume of theology." "Yes," added the venerable pas- 
tor, " Jirah D. Cole was a giant." 

Delazon Conley, 

Born, Trumansburg, March 28, 1848. B'd. Nov. 10, 1856, by D. 
Corey. L.. Jan. 7, 1870. Married Hattie A. Letts, of Trumansburg, 
April 6, 1869. O.. Fleming, April 6, 1874, Edward Judson preaching 
the sermon. P. Fleming, 1874-8. Died at Trumansburg March 28, 
1878, Rev. G. A. Starkweather preaching his funeral sermon. Says H. 
F. Titus, in "The Waymark ": "His generous and impulsive heart, 
his clear good sens*' and strong mind, his fervent prayers and healthy 
Christian life, will be recalled with grief by those who knew him best. 
Their sympathy and prayers will accompany his widow and children." 

Daniel Corey. 

Born, Tyrone, N. Y., July 1, 1832. United with church in Altay 
when seventeen years of age. L.. March 24, 1855. O.. as pastor of 
First M4I0 church. March 11, 1856, S. M. Bainbridge preaching the ser- 
mon. P.. Milo, (6); Mecklenburg, (6); Trumansburg, (3); North 
Hector, (3) ; Assistant Financial Ag't. R. T. S. P.. Hudson, 1872-76 ; 
at Second church Saratoga Springs, 1876-79. Married, Aug. 31, 1854, 
Sarah E. Briggs, daughter of Wm. R. Briggs, of Starkey. Has just ac- 
cepted a call to Stillwater. 

William Cormac. 

Born, Forfar, Forfarshire, Scotland, 1806. His oldest brother was a 
British officer, and fought in the service of the Greeks against the Turks. 
William was educated for the law at Edinburgh, winning high honors as 
a scholar. The death of Geo. IV. occasioned political debates, in which 
Cormac appeared as the enthusiastic champion of the people. He was 
also a frequent contributor to the public press. In 1832, with a brother, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 239 

he came to America. They found New York terror stricken by the 
cholera. Settling in Lakevil'le, Washington Co., they worked as tanners 
and shoemakers. A temperance lecturer failing to fill an appointment, 
Cormac was called upon to take his place. Numerous invitations to 
lecture followed. His family joined him in 1833. He was converted 
and baptised by Richard Witheral, 1834. He had been born, christened, 
confirmed in the old Scotch Pres. ch., and in 1826. was married, by Dr. 
Eddy, 1st Kirk of Forfar, to Jean Masterton. Study of the Scriptures 
convinced him that he ought to follow his Savior, and be buried in the 
likeness of his death. Beginning evangelistic work, he was especially 
noted as the fearless champion ot the cause of temperance. He was 
even persecuted because he refused to stifle his convictions and to hold 
his peace. Benevolent to a fault where truth was not to be compromis- 
ed, recognizing the universal brotherhood of man, and according free- 
dom of thought to all, he would yield not one jot or tittle to error. He 
first settled with the struggling church at Rupert, Vt.; then at Adams- 
ville, N. Y., where he had once been threatened with violence for his 
severity in denouncing the rum traffic. Here manv of the most harden- 
ed and violent of the community were converted in revival meetings. 
Pastor of the weak church at Kingsbury. (V. Matt. 10:9.) The church 
prospered. He organized churches at Sandy Hill and White Hall ; re- 
moved to Hartford, the largest church in the county. Here and at Fort Ann 
he was blessed in revival efforts. He zealously espoused the anti- 
slavery cause, and his house was a depot on the underground railroad. 
Engaged in joint discussion with Wm. Miller, the second-adventist, who 
was severel) r worsted. Re-united a divided church at Hartford. Pas- 
tor at Walworth ; Plainsville ; Lodi, 1847 ; Peach Orchard. Here he 
engaged successfully in joint discussion with Dr. Peet, of the Pres. ch. 
Pastor at Trumansburg, 1848-50; Ithaca, 1850-52. Both these churches 
were united and built up during his pastorates. Pastor at Mendon ; 
Clyde; Warsaw; Sandusky, O.; Cleveland; Dundee, N. Y., 1867. 
Here his labors were brought to a close by failing health. Retiring to a 
home near Jacksonville, O., he fell asleep April 8, 1870, having labored 
faithfully in the ministry for thirty-five years. Earnest and eloquent, he 
was eminently successful in evangelistic as well as in pastoral labors. 
He was an enthusiastic lover of natural science, and devoted much time 
to study and experiment. His wife, aged 74 years, resides at the home- 
stead with her youngest son. Three children are living near Jefferson, 
O., three in Iowa. Jas. Cormac is Secretary of the Eureka Coal and 
Mining Co., DesMoines, la. Mr. Cormac was pastor of four of the 
churches of the Seneca Association, Trumansburg, Ithaca, Lodi, and 
Peach Orchard, and it is a pleasure to be able to present to them, 
even thus briefly, the record of his eventful life. 

Taylor Crum. 

Born, West Candor, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1852. Grad. R. T. S., 1876. O.. 
Monroe, Mich.. Sept. 13, 1876. P.. Monroe; Newfield, N. Y. 

Thomas Dowling. 

Born, Brighton, Sussex Co. Eng., April 2, 1809. With his brother, 
afterward well-known as Dr. John Dowling, preacher and author, at- 
tended Sunday-School connected with the church of which the celebrated 
Jos. Ivime) r was pastor in London. B'd. Ma3^ 28, by Chas. Carpenter, in 
London. L.. Oct. 1830, and for years labored as a local preacher. 
Came to U. S., 1833. O.. Catskill, Jan, 17, 1834. P.. Trumansburg, 
1835, when an interesting revival was experienced ; Warwick and 
Coventry, R. I., 1836-40; Third church No. Stonington, Conn.; Ag- 



240 Seneca Baptist Association. 

awam, Mass.; Willimantic ; Central Thompson; Tolland, two pastor- 
ates, (4) (3) ; and other churches in Conn. Is now residing at Toll- 
and, in frail health, and doing little public service, but loving to preach 
as well as ever. 

William Dunbar. 

Born, Albany Co. N. Y., March 12, 1829. Grad. M. U., 1859. O.. 
Bennettsburg, Dec. 14, 1859. P.. Milo, 1861 ; Prattsburg, 1863 ; Sen- 
nett, 1867 ; Holley. Now in Asylum at Utica. 

Francisco Dusenberry. 

Born, Jan. 13, 1815. Converted at eighteen years of age. L.. Etna, 
1836 ; O.. Lake Ridge, 1843. P.. Etna, 1840-3 and 1847-58 ; and 1868-70 ; 
Lake Ridge, 1843-4 an d 1862-8 ; Newfield, 1845-7 an d 1858-62 ; Ithaca 
Tabernacle church, 1870-4 and 1877-9 '< Enfield. 1874-77. Married Feb. 
18, 1841, Eliza Gibbs, of Groton, who died April 16, 1868. Married Feb. 
15, 1871, Mary D. Dawson. Pastor of Tabernacle church, Ithaca. 

M. M. Evarts. 

Born, May 10, 1803. O.. Lisle, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1833. Has been a 
missionary pastor, serving 22 churches in 41 years. Most of these 
churches are in the lumbering regions of N. Y., and Pa. P.. Newfield, 
1867 ; Ovid, 1868-9. Now pastor at Masonville, N. Y. 

Isaac Fargo. 

Born, Salem, Conn., Jan. 10, 1817. At Hamilton, 1839. O.. Mount 
Morris, Jan. 2, 1846. Married Eliz. Chapman, of N. Y. City, 1846. P.. 
Hamburg, Romulus, (6); Fairport, (7); Galesburg, 111.; Lamoille, 
la.; Lake Mills, Wis. Was an unusually eloquent and successful 
preacher. 

Francis Drake Fenner. 

Born, Henrietta, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1832. B'd. Jan. 1847. L.. 1855. Grad. 
U. R., 1861. Married Mary A. Galentine, July 24, 1861. Grad. R. T. S., 
1864 O.. Ovid Center, ( Scotts Corner's) Sept. 14, 1864. Sermon by 
G. W. Northrup, J. B. Smith, Moderator, D. Corey, Clerk of council. 
P.. Ovid, 1864-67 ; Jordan, 1867-71 ; Parma. 1871-74. Ovid, (2d pas- 
torate) 1874-78. Pastor at West Somerset, Niagara Co. 

Jacob Fisk. 

Born, May 3, 1796. Grad. at Hamilton, 1826. P.. Lodi, 1827-28 ; 
Union Springs ; Williamson. Died in Rochester, about 1836. 

Joseph N. Folwell. 

Born, Phila., June 1, 1827. B'd. March, 1846, by J. H. Kennard, D. 
D., of 10th church, Phila. Entered Lewisburg Univ., 1847. Settled 
first at Cohansey, N.J. (the church organized 1690.) O.. Nov. 25, 1850. 
Married Jennie B., daughter of Dea Robert Taylor, of Phila., and sister 
of Rev. E. G. Taylor, D. D. P.. Manyunk church, Phila.; in N. Y. 
City ; at Ithaca, (4) ; (during which period the church contributed for 
benevolence $1209.66.) Cor. Sec'y. N. Y. B. E. Soc'y. (2). Pastor 2d 
church Brooklyn, E. D. (9). Succeeded U. D. Ward as Cor. Sec'y A., 
and F. B. S. Author of a Baptist Catechism, and Tract on the Lord's 
Supper which have been widely circulated. 

H. E. Ford. 
Born, Somerset, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1829. Converted, 1846. O.. 1858. 
Pastor of several churches in Canada. P.. Watkins, Mecklenburg, 



Seneca Baptist Association. . 241 

Wayne Village, Urbana church, Middleburg, Tioga Co. Pa., where he 
labored faithfully until his death, Oct. i6, 1877. 

Samuel W. Ford. 

Born, April 22, 1794. P.. Dryden, Caroline. Spencer, Candor, Meck- 
lenburg, Farmerville, 1827-31. Married Mary French, of Salisbury, 
Conn., who died Sept. 26. 1866. From Farmerville, went to Chili, N. Y., 
then to LaPorte, Mich, where for the remainder of his life he labored as 
a missionary. He was a most earnest worker, and in his zeal would 
sometimes almost forget the needs of his famity. One of his daughters, 
wife of Rev. Thomas Hunt, died in Oregon. A son, John. Peatt Ford, 
was killed in the Union Army, in a battle on the Red River. One 
daughter, Mrs. Ansel Rappleye still resides in Farmer Village. 

H. B. Fuller. 

Born, New Lisbon, Otsego Co., March 17. 1806. Converted, 1826. 
L.. 1831. O.. 1832. P.. Belle Isle Navy Yard. Preached for 15 years 
in the State of New York, 7 in Ohio, 24 in Mich. Died, July 30. 1876, 
at Leslie, Mich., where he had been twice pastor. He was noted for his 
geniality and kindness of heart, and had many friends ; an able preach- 
er and a wise counselor. 

Ezra Starkweather Gallup. 

Born, Paris, Oneida Co., 1819. Studied at Cortland Academy. Grad. 
Hamilton, 1843. Taught the classics in Cortland Academy. Married 
M. A. Bates, of Cherry Valley. 1849 O.. Hamilton, Aug. 9. 1853. 
Professor of Greek, M. U., 1850-68. Supplied church in Morrisville 
(4), where as the history of the church informs us, "his discreet and 
careful spirit, did much to strengthen the church, and an interesting re- 
vival attended his labors." P . Delhi, 1869-74, preaching also at Tomp- 
kins. Trumansburg, 1874-6. ISow pastor at Venice, Cayuga Co. 

Fred H. Gates. 

Born, Jacksonville, Tompkins Co., July 15, 1855. B'd. Dec. 4, 1875, 
by T. G. Wright. L.. Watkins, Sept. 17, 1876. O.. Etna. May 23. 1877. 
Pastor at McLean. Married Nella L. Hayes, of Cincinnatus, June 5, 
1877. Edits a bright little newspaper called the " Baptist Visitor." 

Granville Gates. 

Born, Maine, Broome Co., April 17, 1829. O.. Lamb's Corners, Jan. 
15, 1853. P- • Lamb's Corners, ( 2 ) ; Center Lisle, ( 6 ) : Caroline, ( 4 ) ; 
Ovid Village, ( 1 ). Since 1866, engaged in pastoral work in Kansas. 
Resides at Emporia, Kan. 

Oliver W. Gibbs. 

Born, Groton, Feb. 22, 1819. Converted at 12 years of age, under 
the labors of Dr. Jay S. Backus. B'd. 1833. Grad. M. U., 1844. O.. 
Cuba, Allegany Co., Sept. 1, 1846. Married Arvilla Hopkins, of Cin- 
cinnatti, O., Oct. 1. 1846. P.. Cuba, 1846: Montezuma, 1849; Bennetts- 
burg, 1851,(9). Here his labors were interrupted by an attack of acute 
bronchitis. Retired to a farm near Groton, often preaching to neighbor- 
ing churches. He was a student, a hard working pastor, and a re- 
vivalist, his sermons plain and forcible, his manner incisive, his labors 
fruitful. Resides at Groton, Tompkins Co. 



242 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Maris Gibson, 

Born, Buckingham, Pa., Oct. 31, 1841. At M. U., T861-64. Married 
Ellen A. Rhodes, of No Lansing, Sept. 7, 1864. O.. Gwynedd, Pa., 
Jan. 1865. P.. Farmer Village, ( 1) ; Pottstown, Pa.; Guthrieville, Pa. 

Philander D. Gillette. 

Born, Piscataqua, N. J., Jan. 8, 1796. B'd. Salem, N. J., 1817. 
Studied under Dr. Staughton, Phila. P.. Warwick, 1821 ; Elmira, 1826 ; 
where he labored for ten years with great success. Preached at Big 
Flats, Southport. Horseheads. P.. Phil.. ( 1 ) ; Schenectady, (6 ). In 
1840, returned to Horseheads where he died, March 29, 1845, his de- 
voted friend, Elder Sheardown, preaching his funeral sermon. He was 
courteous, self-sacrificing, successful. He was a brother of Rev. Dr. 
A. D. Gillerte. of Sing Sing, and of the beloved Daniel Gillette, whose 
voung life, so bright with promise, was so soon overshadowed by death. 

Peter Goo. 

At Hamilton, 1835-40. O.. Frankfort, Herkimer Co., Dec. 5, 1838. 
P.. Farmer Village, 1841-45 ; Vernon Knowlesville, Ovid Village, 
Walesville. Studied und>er Rev. L. Ransted. 

Jacob Grant. 

O.. Burlington, N. Y., Jan. 23, 1833. P.. Waterville, Westville, 
Litchfield, Harwick, Delphi. Lodi. Died at North Hector, 1855. 

John Gray. 

Is described as the "guerrilla preacher " of the Association, an inde- 
pendent itinerant of the Peter Cartwright order,rough in speech, ready in 
illustration, loving his work. 

John Herbert Griffith. 

Born, Geneva, N. Y., July 9, 1833. L.. Romulus, 1852. At. Roch. 
Univ. 1859 ; R. T. S., 1861. O.. Detroit, Mich., Nov. 6, 1861, P.. 
Detroit, 1861-7 ; Galesburg, 111., 1867-73; Milwaukee, Wis., '1873. 
Now pastor of Second church, Troy, N. Y. 

Henry Lawrence Grose. 

Born, Minden, Mont. Co., Sept. 26, 1816. " According to ritual of 
Reformed church subjected to water sprinkling at the hands of Rev. 
John D. Spinner, father of F. E. Spinner, Treasurer U. 8." Began the 
study of the classics at seven years of age, taught by his father, Hon. 
Henry Grose, who was educated at Columbia Coll., by his uncle jno D. 
Grose, D. D.. Prof, in that Institution, and an author of note. The name 
was spelled Gros by his French ancestors. Studied Greek, Hebrew, 
and the modern languages. Began the study of medicine, and edited a 
newspaper at seventeen years of age. B'd.' at Owego, where he com- 
pleted his medical studies. Student at Oneida Institute. L.. by 
Whitesboro church, C. P. Sheldon, pastor, Aug. 1, 1840. Married, 
Sept. 1840. Emma L. Seward, a cousin of William H. Seward. O.. West 
Danby, Tompkins Co , Jan. 7, 1841. B. R. Swick. Mod.. P. Taylor 
Clerk of council. Sermon by P. B. Peck. Dea Eaton, the celebrated 
canal missionary, gave the charge to the candidate's wife. A church 
edifice was built, over 30 were baptised. P.. Coxsackie, 1842-3 ; 31 
baptisms. On one occasion when eight persons were baptised, as each 
went up out of the water these words were repeated : "And Jesus, 



Seneca Baptist Association. 243 

when he was baptised, went up straightway out of the water, and lo, the 
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descend- 
ing like a dove and resting upon him" A flock of doves came hovering 
over the waters, and at the sixth repetition of the words, one lighted up- 
on Mr; Grose's right shoulder, and there remained until he had re- 
ceived the seventh candidate. This marvel was the means of the con- 
version of one of the most violent opposers of religion in the com- 
munity. P.. Ithaca, Athens, North East, Dutchess Co., the oldest, 
strongest church in the Association, the church of Tas. M. Winchell, 
author of Winchell's Watts, of Dr. Jas. B. Simmons, and of Edward 
Clark, the missionarv, who was baptised by Mr. Grose. Compelled by 
paraplegia to resign his charge. P.. Galway, 1858 ; and Prof, of Latin 
in Galway Academy. Baptised and fitted for college Frank B Wilkie, 
(Union ) chief ed. staff Chicago Times ; and Chas. E. Hewitt, ( U. of 
R.) pastor in Chicago. Prepared a history of the Saratoga Ass'n. for its 
Jubilee semi-centennial anniversary, June 27-29, 1854, and labored earn- 
estly to secure the success of the celebration. Gave historical ad- 
dress April 13, 1856, at semi-centennial celebration of Moreau temper- 
ance society, said to be the oldest total abstinence society in the world. 
Again resigned on account of a relapse, 1857. Spent some time travel- 
ing in the far West. In 1858, he was persuaded, by his valued friend, 
Dr. Adams Cleghorn. to undertake the charge of the church at Mann- 
ville. Not recovering his health, he purchased the Ballston Journal, of 
which he is still editor and publisher. Preached as supply at Burnt 
Hills, and for several months at First church Saratoga Springs, also at 
Saugerties, Stillwater, Middle Grove. P.. Hydeville, Vt.. 1867-73. 
Received a call to Milton North, that mother of churches, in Dec. 1878, 
and is yet pastor there. Has been in the ministry 32 years, serving 8 
churches as pastor, 5 as stated supply, and his record is that " he has 
never served a people whom he did not love, and from whom he did not 
receive abundant evidence of reciprocal esteem." Preached 3501 ser- 
mons ; in 105 different places in N. Y., 37 in other States. Baptised 
223 persons. His writings have been various and voluminous, includ- 
ing besides discussions, biographies, and histories: "The church In- 
stitution ; " "The Fourteen Apostles;" "On Divorce;" "Powers of 
Ecclesiastical Councils," etc. Mr. Grose has four sons and four daugh- 
ters. The sons are all engaged in editorial work, one of them, a U. of 
R., graduate, being on the Staff of the Chicago Tribune. His oldest 
daughter is the wife of J. A. Smith, D. D., editor of The Standard, 
" the great Baptist paper of the West," and is the author of several 
books published by the A. B. P. S., Mr. Grose has been Sec'y of the 
N. Y. S. Temp. Soc'y.; Chaplain 29th Reg't. N. G. S, N. Y.: School 
Com'r., succeeding Hon. Neil Gilmour, Supt. of public instruction ; and 
has been called to fill many other civil and ecclesiastical offices of 
trust and responsibility. He received from Gov. Fenton an appoint- 
ment in the Adjutant General's Department, which he held for two years. 
Such, in brief, is the record of a remarkably changeful, eventful, and 
useful life. 

Louis Jeremy Gross. 

Born, Sept. 15, 1848, and received early education at Farmer Village. 
B'd. 1859, by H. G. DeWitt, the evangelist. L.. Farmer Village, 187c. 
Married S. Belle, daughter of Wm. Bainbridge, of Romulus, May 16, 1877. 
In U. S., service, 1863-65, in Co. I. 111th N. Y. S. V. Grad. M. U., 1874. 
Student in Union Theol. Sem. N. Y. O. Romulus, March 7, 1876, J. 
B. Smith Moderator, L. Halsey, clerk of. council, sermon by J. B. 



244 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Smith, D. D. Mr. Gross is a frequent contributor to the religious press. 
Pastor at Romulus, 1876-80. 

Lewis Halsey. 

Born, Trumansburg, Tompkins Co., Jan. 19, 1843. B'd. 1859, by C. 
L. Bacon. Grad. Hobart Coll, 1868. Taught in Oxford Academy 1869. 
L.. Trumansburg, Dec. 17. 1870. Grad. R. T. S., 1872. Married, Sept. 
12, 1872, Zada M., daughter of Prof. David G. Barber, of Oxford. O.. 
Ogden, Nov. 13, 1872, H. E. Robins, D. D., Moderator, R. J. W. Buck- 
land, D. D., preacher. Rev'ds. J. T. Seeley, C. L. Bacon, T. Edwin 
Brown. A. C. Barrelle, J. W. B. Clark and Jesse Elliott participating. 
P.. Ogden, 1872-74 ; Farmer Village, 1874-80. A son of Trumansburg 
church, a grandson of Covert, and adopted into the family at Farmer Village. 

J. M. Harris. 

Born, Cornwallis. Nova Scotia, Feb. 16, 1813. B'd. Aug. 22. 1830., 
by Edward Manning. L.. June 14, 1834. Studied at Waterville, Me. 
Pastor, Kennebunk, 1839. ^ new meeting-house was dedicated and 
Mr. Harris ordained Oct. 14 1840. P.. East Haverhill, Mass., (5); 
Amsterdam, (6); Ithaca, (12); Rome, (6); Lockport, from Dec. 21, 
1870. After enjoying a precious revival, and securing subscriptions to 
pay a church debt of $14,000, was compelled by continued ill-health to 
resign. A historical sketch of the Lockport church, written by A. H. 
Shaw, extols his labors, and states that his resignation was received with 
great sorrow, the church adopting resolutions expressive of their devot- 
ed love for their retiring pastor. Mr. Harris has been twice married, to 
Eunice Eliza Chipman, of Cornwallis, N. S., Juty 24, 1840, who died 
Jan. 15, 1859 ; to Mrs. S. A. Baker, of New York, May 25, i860. His 
was one of the longest, happiest, and most fruitful pastorates in the 
Seneca Association. His home is now in Albion. 

Edward Hodge. 

Born, Romney, N. H., Sept. 18, 1798. Grad. 1824, at Hamilton, 
where he received aid from Dea. J. Olmsted. Married Betsev Pitts, of 
Onondaga. O.. Onondaga, 1825. P.. Farmer Village, ( 2 ) ; Ovid, ( 8 ). 
Engaged in Home Mission work in Mich. P.. at Fairfield and Seneca. 
In Kansas, 1859. Returned to Fairfield, Mich., where he died, Feb. 
16, 1861. An untiring and devoted worker. 

John C. Holt. 

Born, Nov. 1793. Grad. Hamilton, 1825. Married Dorcas Clough, 
of Madison. O., Romulus, Oct. 20, 1826. P.. Romulus. DeRuyter, 
Onondaga, South Hill, Stillwater, First Galway, Moreau, Fleming. 
Spent his later years in Tenn., where he died, at Shelbyville. Feb. 12. 
i860. He enjoyed many revivals during his ministry. 
Martin Winchell Homes. 

Born, Galen, Wayne Co., Aug. 6, 1817. Converted at Phelps, under 
Jacob Knapp's preaching, 1836. Taught in Geneseo Academy. 111. 
Entered M. U., 1840. L.. Phelps, 1843. O.. Middlesex, July 7, 1847, 
C. G. Carpenter, Moderator, A. C. Kneeland, preacher. Married Mary 
A., daughter of Samuel Barker, of Phelps, June 13, 1847. P.. Mid- 
dlesex. Grad. Fairmount, O., Theol. Sem., 1856. P.. Phelps Village, 
1856-60: Romulus, (7); Farmer Village, (3); Havana. Aided in 
founding Cook Academy. P.. Lima, O., Monroeville, O. Has held 
meetings at Orleans, Branchport, Mumford, Wheatland, N. Y., Frank- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 245 

lin, O., Bay City, Mich. Has witnessed a revival in nearly every church 
with which he has labored. A number of his sermons on national 
affairs have been published. Baptised 80 at Romulus, 50 at Farmer 
Village, 85 at Lima, 39 at Monroeville. 

George Hopkins. 
Born, Saco, Me., March 13, 1837. Grad. Coll. Phys. & Surg., N. Y., 
1862. Entered Med. service Western Sanitary Com., May, 1862. Ap- 
pointed Asst. Surgeon U. S. N., Oct., 1862. Honorably discharged, Oct. 
1865, B'd. in Oliver St., Mariner's church N. Y., 1865, having united 
with the Congregational church, at Northampton, Mass., 1855. L.. 
Kingston, March, 1872. O.. Covert, Sept., 1872. P.. Covert, (3). 
Resumed practice of medecine, 1877, at Canandaigua, his present home. 
Married March 30, 1867, Henriette Lucie Fornachon. 

Peter Irving. 

Born, London, Eng., July 4, 1821. Came to America in childhood. 
Converted at eleven years of age. B'd. and L.. Carmel, N. Y. At 
M. U. (1 ). Grad. R. T. S., 1851. O.. Wolcott, Jan. 19, 1853. Mar- 
ried Nancy McConnelly, Dec, 1852. P.. Wolcott, 1852-6 ; Montezuma, 
1856-7 ; Romulus, 1858-9 ; Walworth, i860. Mrs. Irving died in i860. 
In 1861. married Martha Peek, who survives him. P.. Wolcott, 1861 ; 
Brighton 111., 1864. Removed in 1866, to Irving, 111., where he died 
from a cancer, Oct. 5, 1869. 

Aaron Jackson. 

Was a member of the church at Brookfield, Orange Co. A black- 
smith at Athens Pa., in 1827, and was there ordained over his anvil, 
Oct. 1833. P. Albion, 1840-44. Is remembered as an efficient preach- 
er. It is reported that he died at Oyster Bay, R. I., about 1868. 

Jonathan Ketchum. 

Born, Romulus, Sen. Co., March, 1796. B'd. 1816, by John Caton. 
L.. Barrington, 1818. O.. 1825. P.. Barrington, (18). Baptised here 
250 converts, among them A. W. Sunderlin and B. R. Swick. P.. 
Yates, Barrington, ( 2d time), at Ovid. 1847; but obliged by failing 
Health to resign. P.. Altay, Jersey, So. Bradford. Urbana, Wayne. He 
was an able sermonizer, a close student of the Bible, a man whose 
Christian character was a tower of strength. He died calmly and hope- 
fully, May 27, 1870. 

Carl Traugott Kreyer. 

O.. Waterloo, Feb. 9, 1863. At Rochester, in Univ. and Sem., 1863- 
65. Missionary to China, 1866-69. Prof, in Kau-chang-Miau College, 
and translator for Chinese Government, Shanghai, China. Married a 
daughter of W. Kennard, of Waterloo. 

ASHNAH LAWTON. 

Born, Pittsfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 4, 1801. B'd. German, 
Chenango Co., Aug. 17, 1817. Married. Feb. 1. 1825, Almira Lock- 
wood. O.. Aug. 1831. Died, Nov. 17, 1848, at North Brookfield. Rev. 
Isaac Bevan preached his funeral sermon. Concerning him was pub- 
lished a very curious pamphlet, with title page as follows : " The power 
of faith ; exemplified in the extraordinary case of Ashnah Lawton ; who 
was remarkably healed on the 1st day of May, 1821, written by Elder 
John Lawton. ' If thou can't believe, all things are possible to him 
that believeth.' " 



246 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



John Lewis. 

Born, Fairfield Co., Conn., 1764. Converted at Saratoga, N. Y. Or- 
dained first as deacon, then as pastor. Labored in that region until 1817. 
Removed to Tompkins Co. P.. Enfield, ( 1 ) ; Farmer Village, where 
he aided in organizing the church, and was the first pastor, 1819-25. 
P. Lodi. Wearied by excessive toil, in accordance with the advice of 
his physician, Dr. C. C. Coan, he sought needed rest, but it was too 
late. He died at the home of his brother-in- law, Benj. Drake, at Sara- 
toga Springs, April 9, 1827. He assisted in organizing several of the 
churches of the Seneca Association, and his name holds an honored 
place in its history. He was loved by the churches, noted for singleness 
of purpose and indomitable energy, was unusually gifted in prayer, and 
is remembered as a man of holy life. 

Ray G. Lewis. 

Born, Richmond, R. I., April 22, 1789. Converted while a student at 
Hamilton. Taught at Waterloo. L.. Aug. 20, 1826. Preached at Wa- 
terloo, and Faj'ette, (2). O.. Tyre, Jan. 16,1829. P- Tyre, ( 3) ; Center- 
ville, Bennettsburg, Peach Orchard. In 1845, retired to a farm in Horn- 
by, Steuben Co., but supplied man)' destitute churches. Was engaged 
as supply for Cooper's Plains church, where he died, March 29, 1851. 
He loved the work of preaching the gospel, was a ' good man and one 
full of the Holy Ghost." His is an honored name among the churches. 

Daniel W. Litchfield. 

Born, Litchfield, Conn., Sept. 24, 1773. Left an orphan at seven years 
of age. Married Mary, daughter of Samuel Frizelle of New Woodstock, 
May 16, 1827. B'd. and L.. 1831. O.. Greene P.. Greene, Triangle, 
Lower Lisle, Upper Lisle, Covert, 1843-7 ; Benton Center, 1847-51 ; 
Waterloo, Spencer, Orleans, 1854-56. Engaged in Home Mission work 
in 111. P.. Plymouth, Rozetta. P.. Prattsburg, N. Y., Liichfield, 111., 
1864. Here he died, Jan 5, 1866, his work well done. 

William E. Locke. 

L.. by Lebanon church, Mad. Co., about 1835. O.. Massena, Aug. 
18, 1836. P.. Governeur, 1838 ; Trumansburg, 1839-42 ; Sing Sing, 
1843 ; Scotch Plains, N. J., 1844. Became a Presbyterian. Taught at 
Lancaster, P. Died in New Jersey. Published 1841, at Ithaca, "The 
Perpetuity of Christian Baptism," a work in defense of the ordinance 
against those who do not believe in outward baptism, but give to all 
ordinances a spiritual significance. 

D. T. Lockwood. 

O.. Great Bend, Pa., 1848. P.. Randolph, 1866-7 ; United Henrietta 
church, 1859 ; Akron, 1860-61 ♦ Wellsburg, Crawford, Pa.; Mecklenburg, 
T857-8 ; Sinclairville, N. Y., 1874 

Almon Caton Mallory. 

Born, Cornwall, Litchfield Co., Conn. Educated under the strict dis- 
cipline of New Eng., Congregationalism. When converted, studied the 
Scriptures diligently and found himself, at the end of a year, a confirm- 
ed Baptist. B'd. May 15, 1825, by Asa Tallmadge. Ordained deacon 
at Dix, Schuyler Co., Oct. 12, 1831. Ordained pastor Sept. 30, 1840, by 
a council of the Seneca Association. P.. Wayne, (11), where he bap- 
tised 69 candidates in 1842, the largest nnumber ever baptised here in 



Seneca Baptist Association. 247 

one year. Benton, Yates Co., (24), 1852-75. Moderator of State Conv , 
1865. Married, Oct. 20, 1830, Ellen Tallmadge, of Lee, Mass. Married 
again Dec. 9, 1863, Emma Hulbert. of Morgan, O. Pastor at Covert 
since April I, 1876. During 38 years has been out of his pulpit but 
three Sabbaths on account of sickness. Has preached 4813 sermons, 
including 402 at funerals; baptised 419 persons ; married 281 couples ; 
attended 40 consecutive meetings of the Steuben Association For more 
than forty years has aided neighboring pastors in protracted meetings,, 
and his labors as an evangelist have been greatly blessed. Is a man of 
peace, and a son of consolation. 

Stephen Van Rensselaer Marsh. 

Born, Romulus, Seneca Co.. Feb. 7, 1829. B'd. 1851, L.. 1855. Mar- 
ried, Feb. 11, 1852, Mary A., daughter of Dea. Samuel Jones, of Romu- 
lus. At U. of R., 1857-8 ; R. T. S., 1858-9. O.. Lodi. June, 1859. P.- 
Lodi, (4); Covert, (4); Bethel church, (Gorham) 1867-8; Waterloo, 
1868-70 ; Sennett, 1870-73 ; Eatontovvn, N. J., 1873. Now pastor at 
Southampton, Bucks Co., Pa. 

Enos Marshall. 

Born, Nassau, N Y., Sept. 27, 1795. Married Helen De Forest, of 
Greenbush, N. Y., March 7, 1819. B'd. June 1820, by Benj. Sawin, at 
Middlefield. O.. Florida, N. Y. Jan. 1, 1823, Lewis Leonard preach- 
ing the sermon. P.. Egremont, Mass., ( 11 ) ; Milo, Waterloo, Union 
Springs, Sennett, Victory, Pittsford, Covert. During last 15 years of 
his life resided in Clarkson, Monroe Co. Confined to his room by sick- 
ness for nearly three years. Entered into rest Aug. 17, 1878. The 
Brockport church held a memorial service in Oct., T. S. Barbour, 
preaching the sermon, J. M. Harris, and A. C. Barrelle taking part in 
the services. Many words of eulogy were truthfully spoken. Those 
who knew him best loved him most, and he had no enemies. He bap- 
tised about 1000 converts. The last one to whom he administered the 
ordinance was Dea. Tartellus H. King, of Covert. He was especially 
successful in pastoral labors, eminently scriptural as a preacher, 
and was permitted to enjoy many revivals. His widow and daughter 
reside at Clarkson. His son B. D. Marshall, formerly of Cedar St., ch., 
Buffalo, is now pastor at Worcester, Mass. 

William McCarthy. 

Born, Macclesfield, Cheshire, Eng., March 29, 1813. Educated at 
Edinburgh, tor a physician, and held a commission in the Scotch High- 
landers. Being converted, he threw up his commission. B'd. by his 
father Isaac McCarthy. Emigrated to America. O.. Sharon, Conn., 
1832. P. Manlius, 1841 ; Burnt Hills, Farmer Village, 1846-52 ; New- 
port, N. Y., 1852-3; Watkins, 1855-7; Allegan, Mich. Here his 
health failed. Surgeon U. S. V., during the civil war. Died at Windsor, 
Mich., May 2, 1871. A man of ability and a strong preacher. His son, 
Wm. C. McCarthy, an able minister, is now Prof, in a Southern College. 

Barna Swarthout McLafferty. 

Born, Romulus, Seneca Co., April 12, 1833. Received first serious 
impressions of duty listening to a sermon by John L. Nevius, D. D., 
then a young man about to go as a missionary to China. Converted, 
with John Griffith, and S. V. Marsh, under preaching of I. Fargo, 1852. 
L.. Aug. 7, 1852. O.. Naperville, 111., 1859. Married the daughter of 
Rev. O. D. Taylor, of Freeport, 111., Dec. 11, 1856. P.. Warrenville, 



248 Seneca Baptist Association. 

1862 ; Virginia City, Nev., where he organized the first Baptist church, 
1864. Unable to endure the climate he went to Cal. P.. Petaluma, 
First church San Francisco, San Diego. Pastor at Oakland for the last 
six years. Has just spent several" months at his old home in Seneca Co. 
Is successful as a lecturer. Rev. G. S. Abbott says of him: (Aug. 1879.) 
" He has been one of the best ministers ever sent in the providence of 
God to California." 

John E. McLallen. 

Born, Trumansburg, Aug. 13, 1845. B'd. Sept. 30, 1856, by D. Corey. 
L.. Trumansburg, Dec. 26, 1869. Grad. M. U., 1872. with high honor. 
Married Helen Frances Crane, of Trumansburg, Jan. 14 1874. P.. 
Ovid Village, 1874-5 ; Altay, 1876-9. O.. Altay, Jan. 24, 1877. Sermon 
by W. N. Tower ; Rev'ds. Wright, Stanton, Mallory, Chase, Green, 
Emory, participating. Pastor at Springfield, Pa. 

George T. McNair. 

Born, Upper Dublin, Mont. Co., Pa., Dec. 12, 1829. A Presbyterian 
by education. B'd. Feb. 27, 1848, by Lewis Smith, at Hatsboro. Grad. 
Lewisburg Acad., 1853 ; Coll., 1857 ; Theol. Dept., 1859. L.. Hatsboro, 
Sept. 27, 1856. O.. Leroy, Bradford Co., Pa., Dec. 13, 1859. Laid 
aside by laryngitis for two years. P.. Treverton, Pa., 1863-7. For 
some months in service of U, S. Christian Commission. Married May 
3, 1865, Juliett Bastress, of Jersey Shore, Pa. P, Muncy, Pa., 1867- 
72; Romulus, 1873-5 ; East Nantmeal, Pa., from April i, 1876. 

C. P. Melleney. 

Born. England, 1821. B'd. N. Y. City, Feb., 1845, uniting with nth 
St. church. Had been upon the stage. L.. Williamsburg, 1856. O.. 
Jan. 21, 1869. Labored in Albany and Greenbush. P.. 2d church Cape 
May, East Haverhill. Pastor at Newfield, from March, 1869. 

Amzi Wolverton Mettler. 

Born, Rush, Northumberland Co., Pa., Jan. 23, 1843. B'd. i860. 
At Univ. Lewisburg. O.. Zoar, Pa., Aug. 24, 1868. P.. Zoar. Ovid, 
N. Y., 1871. Obliged to rest and recruit. Now pastor at Hawley, Pa. 

Urban B. Miller. 

Born, Brookfield, Mad., Co., Dec. 31, 1800. Converted at Hamilton 
at 16 years of age. B'd. Sherburne, by Elder Allerton. Married, 1822, 
by Dr. N. Kendrick, to Anna Reese, of Sherburne. L.. Berkshire. 1825. 
O.. Hector, (Peach Orchard) 1828, Alfred Bennett preaching. P.. 
Lodi, 1829-33 : Farmer Village, 1834-36 ; Geneva, 1836-41. Engaged 
in evangelistic labors, in which he was greatly blessed, hundreds being: 
converted under his preaching. Removed to Mich. P.. Edwardsburg, 
Niles. Medina, Fort Wayne, Ind., where the church was wonderfully 
strengthened. Engaged in Home Mis. work, (3). Appointed Cor. 
Sec'y, of Gen. Ass'n of Ind. Had just begun the work of providing an 
endowment for Franklin College, when he was prostrated by disease, 
and soon sank peacefully to rest, April 1, 1861. Pres. Silas Bailey, D. 
D., of Franklin Coll., preached the funeral sermon at Indianapolis. He 
was perhaps the best known Baptist minister in Ind. In his open bug- 
gy, drawn by that faithful old white horse, he traversed every county, al- 
most every township, preaching the gospel and pleading for the desti- 
tute. "He was a true man, a grand preacher," revered and loved by 
all. His earh' advantages were limited, but when pastor at Geneva, he 



Seneca Baptist Association. 249 

studied Latin, Greek, and Hebrew with one of the Professors in Hobart 
College. He loved to study Mathematics, even in his later years. It 
taught him. he said, to " think solid." His theological views were clear, 
well defined, " Calvinistic." They could scarcely have been otherwise, 
since he sat at the feet of such teachers as Kendrick, Bennett, Peck, 
Comstock. and their associates. His widow resides at Cortland, N. Y., 
with her daughter, Mrs. Warren Bush. She was an efficient helper to 
her husband, and one of her sons speaks of h^r as " the best mother 
God ever permitted children to call parent." Though the father might 
be absent the family altar was never suffered to fall. Four of their 
children, Kendrick B., Nathaniel C, Claudius Coan, and Mrs. C. Phil- 
ly, reside at Fort Wayne ; J. R., in New York ; Mrs. M. A. Reese, in 
Edwardsburg, Mich.; Urban, U.. at Santa Fee, N. M. Mary E. mar- 
ried Rev. Geo. Simonson, a graduate of R. T. S., and died at Pontiac, 
111., 1869. 

A. A. MlNTONYE 

Born, Steuben Co.. N. Y.. June 27, 1836. L.. 1861. O.. Osceola, 
la,. 1862. P.. Osceola, Newfield, N. Y., 1864-5 ; Wayne Village, (2), 
where his labors were especially blessed ; Second Pulteney, ( 3 ). Suffer- 
ed from hemorrhage. Returned to Eddyville, la., to die among his 
kindred. Toward the close he often repeated : " All is well ! " He was 
well versed in the Scriptures, an ardent lover of souls. 

O. MONTACxUE. 

Born 1805. O.. Fabius, N. Y., May 14, 1834. P.. Fabius, Cortland, 
1836-40 ; Penn Yan, 1840-46 ; Throopsville, 1846-9 ; Union Springs, 
1849-53 ; Dundee 1853-5 '< Ovid, 1855-7 I Whitewater, Wis., where he 
baptised 26 persons and organized a church. Retired from the pastor- 
ate, and was for some time totall) r blind. Was brother-in-law to Rev. J. 
W. Wiggins. Resides at Whitewater, Wis., and writes : "I love Jesus 
with all my heart, and am waiting my Father's summons." Elder Mon- 
tague was a dramatic, popular preacher, bold in denunciation of evil, 
often engaged in revival meetings. 

J. H. Morrison. 

Born. Marion, N. Y., April 4, 1815. B'd, Pontiac, Mich., July 6, 
1828. Grad. M. U., 1844. Married Lucetta Lawson, of Venice, Sept. 
25, 1844. O.. Oct. 10,1844. P- Holland Patent, Bennettsburg 1846- 
49; Wilson, (8); Sublette, 111., 1856; Oshkosh, Wis., 1861. Obliged 
by ill-health to bring his labors to a close. P.. Ionia, Mich., 1863. 
Supply at Ovid, Mich., ( 1 ). P.. Holley, Mich., 1867-75. At Milford, 
Rockford, Pewamo, Mich. Resides at Holley, Mich., occasionally sup- 
plying feeble churches. Received honorary A. M., from Shurtleff Coll, 
1858. The Bennettsburg church almost idolized him and long mourned 
his departure. 

C. Nelson. 

Born, in town of Philipps, 1787. O.. Spencer, Tioga Co., 1819. P.. 
Spencer, West Owego Creek, 1830-46 ; Enfield, (3 ) ; Owego Creek, 2d 
pastorate. Remained here until his death, March 27, 1854. 

W. P. Omans. 

Born, Eaton, N. Y., 1828. B'd. Jan. 1843. L.. Watkins, Jan. 1843. 
O.. Bradford Hollow, Sept. 1862. P.. Bradford, (2); Italy Hill, (1) ; 
Howard, (2 ) ; Pulteney, ( 3) ; Mis'y. of State Conv., (6). P.. Phelps 



250 Seneca Baptist Association. 

2d church, (4). Preached some months at Newark, N. Y., and Erie, 
Pa. Pastor at Breezeport. Has baptised nearly 1300 converts. 

Nathaniel Otis. 

Born Colchester, Mass. Nov. 26, 1778. Married Judith, daughter of 
Jacob Martin, of Hoosack Falls, N. Y , Sept. 27, 1801. Converted in 
1806, under the preaching ol Rev. Jas. Glass. B'd. by Nathaniel Ken- 
drick. Gave up his business in order to preach. Pastor at West Stock- 
bridge, Mass., but soon decided to leave a State where ministers of one 
denomination were taxed to pay preachers of another. O.. 1816, at New 
Canaan, Cola. Co., N. Y. Within a few months, baptised more than 
two hundred persons. In 1817-18, mis'y. of the Boston Board in East- 
ern and Southern N. Y. P.. Peterboro, ( 2) ; North Norwich, (2 ) ; Ox- 
ford, Chenango Co., for eight happy, useful years. A meeting-house 
was built in the village, and the church received remarkable additions. 
About four hundred members were added during his pastorate. P.. 
Berkshire, Romulus, Seneca Co., where his labors were arduous, the 
extreme limits of the church being twelve miles apart. He took 3'oung 
Samuel Bainbridge. in his carriage to Hamilton, 100 miles, to introduce 
him to that school of the Prophets. Baptised nearly 100 at Romulus. 
P.. Williamson, Parma, Bradford, Woodhull, Smithfield. Removing to 
Beloit, Wis., he preached as supply at Belvidere, III., baptising many 
converts. He died at Beloit, Aug, 5, 1851, full of years, revered by all, 
honored by multitudes as the friend who led them to their Savior. He 
administered the ordinance of baptism to more than 1400 persons. 

D. D. Owen. 

Born. Palermo, Oswego Co., June 12, 1837. Taught for some years. 
In U. S. V., in 1864-5. Married Ella S Woodward, of Mannsville, Nov. 
30, 1865. B'd. 1866, and united with Pulaski Baptist church, after 
thorough examination of the creeds of various churches. L.. Sept. 6. 
1866. At Hamilton Theol. Sem. O . Romulus. Sept. 10, 1867. P.. 
Romulus, 1867-72. Pastor at Central Square since 1872. 

Sylvester S. Parr. 

Pastor at Ballston, Spa., 1834-5, when there was a great awakening. 
The church increased from 95 to 214 members. It is said by aged mem- 
bers of the churches that he was the most eloquent of the pastors of his 
day. P.. Ithaca, 1838-9, and remembered as one of her most able min- 
isters. 

Curtis Burroughs Parsons 

Born, Shelby. N. Y., May 21, 1841. Grad. U. of R., 1862 ; R. T. S., 
1870. Married, July, 1866, Jennie M. Harrington. O.. Farmer Village, 
June 14, 1870, his father, Rev. I. S. Parsons, preaching the sermon. P.. 
Farmer Village, 1870-4 ; Nunda, 1874-6. Pastor at Dunkirk, since 1876. 

M. H. Perry. 

Born Milo, Yates Co., April 3, 1836. Converted under preaching of 
E. Royce, 1856. L.. Altay, 1858. P.. Bradford, N. Y., Caroline, 1866. 
O.. Caroline, Dec. 19, 1866, J N. Folwell preaching the sermon. Is 
preaching at West Union, la. 

J. J. Phelps. 

Born, South New Berlin, Chenango Co., Dec. 12. 1841. Educated 
for the law. Enlisted in 111th N. Y. S. V., July 17, 1862. This, the 



Seneca Baptist Association. 251 

first in the field, was called the " Banner Regiment " of N. Y., Acting 
Adjutant, and Chief Clerk Provost Dept., of Mid. Tenn., and No. Ala. 
Practiced law three years. Married, Feb. 10, 1867, Frances E, Angell, 
of South New Berlin. Took theological course at M. U. O.. Triangle, 
Jan. ig, 1S76. P . Triangle, (2). Pastor at Trumansburg since April 
1, 1877. Was in battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
Lookout Mt.. Atlanta. Captured by Hood's cavalry. Confined first at 
Florence, S. C, then in Libby Prison, Richmond, where he had charge 
of Yankee hospital. Sick with fever. Paroled, taken to Annapolis and 
discharged on thirty days furlough. Before the furlough expired the war 
ended, so that Mr. Phelps is still a prisoner of the Confederate Gov- 
ernment. When captured, he saved his blanket by cutting it into strips, 
six inches wide, which he sewed together in prison. 

Francis Purvis. 

Born, Berwickshire, Scotland, April 10, 1843. B'd. May n, 1860, by 
John King Grant, at Ezemouth. Married Esther Anna, daughter of 
Capt. Chas. Cooper, of Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Eng., (niece of 
Elder Sheardown.) Came to U. S. July. 1870. L.. 1872, at Tioga. O.. 
Charleston, Pa.. Aug. 5, 1874. P.. Bennettsburg, 1876-8; at East Lnn- 
sing, Tompkins Co., 1878. 

Lewis Ransted. 

Born. Weathersfield, Vt., Sept. 11, 1806. B'd. Mav 5, 1824, No. 
Springfield. Vt , by R. M. Ely. L.. March 13, 1827. Six 'years at M. U., 
the classmate of Grover S. Comstock, Dean, Howard, Vinton, Taggert. 
Married Minerva C. Baldwin, of Hartwick, N. Y., June n, 1833. O.. 
Frankfort, N. Y. Sept. n, 1833 P.. Macedon, Canandaigua, Ovid, 
Groton, Fulton, Warren, Elyiia, O., Montrose, Pa., Deposit, Ovid Vil- 
lage Ag't. A. and F. B. S., and N. Y., Ed. Soc'y. Supplied, with ac- 
ceptance, at Trumansburg for six months. Died at Trumansburg, March 
7, 1867. His faithful wife and helpmeet is still a member of the church 
in Trumansburg. He was a man of well disciplined mind, devoted to 
the work of the Master, lovable, earnest, pure in life. 

James Fred Rapson. 

Born, Falmouth, Eng., Feb. 10, 1847. Came to U. S., 1862. Return- 
ed to Eng., 1867. Converted in London, and Sec'y. Christian Commis., 
under Wm. Booth. Organized East London Children's Mission. Mar- 
ried, Sept 1870, Mary Ellen, daughter of Capt. John Carlyon, R. N., of 
London. She died, April 5, 1879. Came to New York, 1873. B'd. 
Williamsburg, by J. N. Folwell. L.. Williamsburg. Student M. U. 
P.. Tab. church Ithaca, ( 1 ). O.. Tioga Center, Feb. 27, 1877. P.. 
Tioga Center, ( 2 ). Now pastor of Fuller Memorial church Baltimore. 

William Rees. 

O.. Glamorganshire, Wales, Aug. 1823. Re-ordained, in accordance 
with the law of the Dominion, at Hamilton. C. W. Preached for sever- 
al years in Wales. Came to America in J832. Shipwrecked. A stranger 
in Quebec. Cholera raging. The people afraid of travelers. A man 
reached him a loaf of bread on a pole. Was Agt. of Home Mis. Soc'y. 
Organized churches at Hamilton and Brantford. Built a church at 
Brantford, and was the first to administer the ordinance of baptism there. 
P.. Simcoe, C. W., Yates, N. Y., Tabernacle church, Rochester. Ag't. 
for A. and F. B. S. P.. Seneca Falls, Throopsburg, where he also had 
charge of the Academy, Second church Elmira, the church being strength- 



2^2 Seneca Baptist Association. 



ened and the pastor receiving testimonials of regard ; Covert, Wilson, 
where his voice failed him ; Middleville, Mich. Encouraged and aided 
in his mission work by Drs. S H. Cone, and B. Welsh. Resides at 
Covert, Seneca Co., N. Y. His active and eventful life deserves a bio- 
graphy. 

James Reynolds. 

Born; Delaware Co., N. Y., 1771. A pioneer in Hector, 1800. 
Cleared a farm near Peach Orchard, where he' resided during his life. 
Married Esther Nash, who died 1839. Had six sons and six daughters. 
Was instrumental in organizing the 1st Bap. ch., in Hector, at Bennetts- 
burg, and in building a meeting-house there. Gave his services to the 
churches, earning a living on his farm. He was a vigorous preacher, 
and baptised many. Died at Peach Orchard, Aug. 20, 1837. 

Parley David Root. 

Born, Cooperstown, Aug. 24, 1842 O . Solon, Dec. 18. 1867. P. 
Mecklenburg, 1867-8 ; Weston, 1868-9 I Manchester, 1869-71. In R. 
T. S., 1872-3. P.. Sennett, 1873 6. 

Edward Royce. 

Born, Clinton, Oneida Co., Sept. 21. 1815. B'd. Horseheads, by 
Aaron Jackson, Aug. 7 1836 L.. Elmira, May. 1841. Grad M. U., 
1843. O.. New Berlin, Aug. 1843. Married Clara A. Elmore, of Ober- 
lin, O., Sept. 17, 1846. P.. Henrietta, and Bellevue, O., Tecumpseh, 
and Manchester, Mich., Altay, and Morrisville. N. Y., at Watkins. 
April 1, 1865 In 1868, compelled by ill health to give up preaching, 
P.. Manchester, 1874-7 ; Mendon. When pastor at Watkins, at the close 
of an evening service in a protracted meeting, Judge S. L. Rood, in be- 
half of the congregation, presented him with a purse containing $300. 
Has just settled with the grand old church in Ogden. May his labors 
with that people be blessed abundantly. 

Winfield Scott. 

Born, Feb. 26, 1837, in Novi, Oakland Co., Mich. Son of James B,, 
and Margaret E. Scott. Converted in Feb. 1853, under preaching of 
Rev. O. Montague. B'd. by J. W. Wiggins, pastor at Farmer Village. 
Grad. R. U., 1859 ; R. T. S., 1861. O.. pastor of Second church in 
Syracuse, Dec. 13, 1861. Raised a company and was commissioned 
Capt. U. S. V., Aug. 9, 1862. His church presented him with a sword. 
In active service until discharged on account of wounds, Oct., 1864. P.. 
Leavenworth, Kan., 1865-71. A meeting-house was built costing $65.- 
000, and the church grew from nineteen to two-hundred and fifty mem- 
bers. Organized three other churches near Leavenworth. P.. Denver, 
Col , from Jan. 1, 1872 to Sept. 1875. A new meeting-house and par- 
sonage were built for about $20,000, church increased from 40 to be- 
tween 200 and 300 members. Went to California, Oct. 1875, Editor of 
The Evangel for nearly one year, but it proved to be too expensive a 
luxury for his purse. P.. Los Angeles, ( 1 ), from Oct. 1876. Associ- 
ate pastor with I. S. Kallock, of the Metropolitan Temple, San Francis- 
co, from Dec. 1878. Now pastor at Petaluma, Sonoma Co, Cal. He 
writes: ''God bless the dear old home church at Farmer! About it 
gather the most precious and fragrant memories of my life." The his- 
tory of the 126th Regiment states that : 

"Capt. Winfield Scott, whose wound received at Maryland Heights, 
had never healed, commanded the 126th Regiment, together with the 



Seneca Baptist Association. 253 

125th (which had been commanded by Lieut. Col. Myers until his 
death) throughout the battles of the Wilderness, Po River, Todd's 
Tavern, and Spottsylvania Court-House, where he was hit on the breast 
by a ball. He owed his life to having on two blouses, and a Testament 
in his side pocket which broke the force of the ball." 

John Sears. 

Born, Durham, Greene Co., 1797. Studied theology in New York. 
Grad., and ordained there, 1822. Missionary to the Indians, laboring 
with Isaac McCoy, at Fort Wayne, Ind. Here his family suffered, and 
his father and brother died by fever. P.. Franklin, 1823-7 • Ithaca, 
1828-30 ; Mecklenburg, 1832 ; Geneva, Palmyra, Mecklenburg, 1842 ; 
Newfield, 1843-45. Removed to Illinois, preaching occasionally. In 
1856, engaged in missionary work in Iowa. Died at Allamakee Co., 
la., Nov. 14, 1856. A bold, energetic, popular preacher. 

William Sharpe. 

Born, Towcester. Northamptonshire, Eng., near birthplace of Wnr 
Carey. Left an orphan at two years of age. Converted when nineteen 
years old. A Wesleyan local preacher. Came to U. S., 1856. B'd. 
Bath, N. Y., by Peter Colegrove. L.. Bath. O.. Hornby, Jan. 28, 
1858. P.. Hornby, Catlin and Dix, ( Moreland ) 1860-2 ; Bennettsburg, 
1862-73, ( 11 ) ; Newfield. (4 ). Married, March 4, 1863, Rose A. Patch- 
en. Pastor at North Manlius since May, 1877. 

Jay Richards Shaw. 

Born, Hector, Schuyler Co., Feb. 20, 1841. B'd. Trumansburg, by 
C. L. Bacon. March 16, 1857. L.. Trumansburg, Jan. 6, 1870. Mar. 
ried. May 16, 1866, Mary E. Martin, of Burdette. At M. U., 1870-71- 
R. T. S., 1871-72. O.. Walworth, June 27, 1872, sermon by Rev. G. A. 
Starkweather. P.. Walworth, 1872-78, his labors being greatly blessed. 
Pastor at Camillus since July 1 1878. A noble pastor and a noble 
people. 

Philander Shedd. 

Born, Truxton, Cortland Co., Aug. 4, 1807. Converted, 1828. B'd. 
by Rev. Thos. Purinton. L.. Nov. 1829. O.. Etna, June, 1830. P.. 
Etna, (3); Trumansburg, (3); Reading, (4); Mecklenburg, (2); 
Dundee, (4) ; Warsaw, (2). Obliged, on account of failing health, to 
resign his charge, and for twenty years unable to preach. Pastor at In- 
dianapolis, 1876, for nearly two years, when his health again failed. 
Now pastor at Mendon, Monroe Co. Has been unusually successful 
and happy in his pastorates. Often called upon to assist brother pastors 
in protracted meetings. 

Charles J. Shrimpton. 

Born, Montreal, Canada, 1835. Grad. from Canadian Literary Insti- 
tute, Woodstock, Ont., 1862. O.. Strafford, Ont., 1862. P.. Strafford, 
(2); Stillwater, N. Y. ( 5 ) ; Ithaca, (4); Fayetteville, ( 4 ). Here he 
" Caught sight of a larg'er system, a system which comprehends all that 
the Baptist body teaches, without excluding other and equally important 
parts of the great scheme." Now rector of the Protestant Episcopal 
church at Fayetteville. 

Seth Smalley. 

Born, Feb. 10, 1799. Grad. Hamilton Institution, 1826. Married 
Maria Payne, of Hamilton. O.. as pastor in New York City. P.. 



254 Seneca Baptist Association. 

Mecklenburg, 1829 ; Amsterdam. Watertown, Pitcher. Became a Pres- 
byterian, and removed to Kansas. 

Howell Smith. 

P.. Boston, N. Y., 1834, and for three years the church .enjoyed a 
rapid growth. In 1841, pastor at Springville. N. Y., the church receiv- 
ing 52 members in one year. P.. Dansville, 1832. Trumansburg. 1843- 
48, the church reporting many baptisms. 

J. Byington Smith, D. D. 

Born, May 1, 1830. B'd. Elbridge, June 20, 1847, bv Tohn Smitzer. 
L.. Elbridge, July 20, 1850. Grad. U. of R., 1852 ; R. T. *S., 1854. O.. 
Dunkirk, Nov. 23, 1854. P.. Dunkirk, (2); Fayetteville, (5). A new 
house of worship was built at Dunkirk ; and at Fayetteville the church 
was rebuilt and enlarged. Married, June 26, 1856. Elizabeth, daughter 
of Dea. Hervey Edwards, of Fayetteville. P . Farmer Village. 1860-66. 
The beautiful house of worship of which an engraving is given in this 
work, was built and dedicated. The church was strengthened and built 
up spiritually. The pastor answered calls from near and far to address 
"war meetings." In 1866-8. ( haplain of Sing Sing prison, in charge of 
1500 convicts Concerning his work here, we quote from the " Exam- 
iner and Chronicle": "In his three years connection with Sing Sing 
prison, he proved himself to be one of the most courteous, painstaking, 
and successful chaplains that ever had the spiritual care of a large num- 
ber of convicts. His influence over ihem was great. He will be known 
in the history of the prison as a model chaplain." P.. Geneva, Jan. 1, 
1869. In six years the church increased from 128 to 209 members. Need- 
ing rest he spent a year in Europe, visiting Egypt and the Holy Land. 
Preached as a supply at Havana, 1876, and aided in establishing Cook 
Academy. P.. Peekskill, 1877. I s well-known as a worker in the cause 
of Temperance, and a prominent officer of the S. of T. Has published 
many sermons, tracts and addresses, the " Prison Hymn Book," " Say- 
ings and Doings of Children." Received honorary, D. D., from Univ., 
of Chicago, 1873. The history of the Fayetteville church (pub. 1862) 
describes him as a most earnest and successful pastor. 

Thomas Fields Smith. 

Born, Bloomsburg, Pa., 1836. B'd Benton, Pa. L.. Oct, 13, 1867. 
O.. Damascus, Pa. P.. Damascus, (6) ; Bennettsburg, (3). In 1872, 
the Damascus church reported 53 baptisms. Varried, May 12, 1869, 
Euphemia Curtis Tyler. Has been pastor at Rose, Wayne Co., for four 
years. 

William Spaulding. 

Born in Vermont. Came at seven years of age with his father, Rev. 
Phineas Spaulding, to the Town of Spencer, Tioga Co. United with 
the Baptist church in West Danby, when twenty-three years of age. 
Here he was ordained, and preached for nearly twenty-five years. After- 
ward served the church in Caroline as pastor for twenty-six years. Re- 
tired from the pastorate in 1862, and died Sept. 3, 1877, venerated hy 
all, and mourned especially by the churches of the Broome and Tioga 
Association. 

J. F. Stark. 

Born, Lyme, New London Co., Conn. Came to Otsego Co., 1826; to 
Trumansburg, 1828. L.. May 21, 1831. Instrumental in organizing a 



Seneca Baptist Association. 255 

Baptist church at Millport, 1833. P.. Enfield, 1836. O.. Sept. 28, 1836, 
R. G. Lewis, Moderator, B. R. Swick, Clerk, C. G. Carpenter, preach- 
er. Was obliged to fight antinomianism, or opposition to all benevolent 
organizations. P.. South Dansville, Steuben Co., 1838 ; Enfield, 1845. 
Now resides at Cortland. 

George A. Starkweather. 

Born, Worcester. N. Y., Dec. 4, 1828. Grad. R. T. S., 1859. O.. 
Elba, N. Y., June io, 1861. Principal Jonesborough ( Tenn.) Institute, 
1859-60. P.. Elba, 1860-4; Corning, 1864-6; Marion, 1866-7; Princi- 
pal Phipps Seminary. Albion, 1867-70. P.. Trumansburg, 1870-5 ; 
Waterbury, Conn., 1875-7; Havana, 1878 ; Marion, Wayne Co., second 
pastorate, 1879. 

Jonathan Sturdevant. 

In 1795, he was a member of the Kent and Fishkill Baptist church at 
Farmer's Mills, Putnam Co., N. Y., and preached with such fervor and 
success that his ordination was unanimously called for. Elders Nathan 
Cole, Ebenezer Cole and Ira Canfield assisted in the services. Pastor 
here until 1802 ; a man "of sterling integrity, zealous of the cause of 
Christ, strict in discipline, and beloved of the church." When Daniel 
Cole was ordained deacon of the Mount Carmel church, Nov. 22, 1798, 
Elder Ebenezer Cole was moderator, Elder Sturdevant gave the charge 
to the candidate and to the church. 

Simon Sutherland. 

Settled in the town of Milo, Steuben Co., 1803. L.. Benton. Held 
meetings among " the clearings " in barns, log school-houses, or in the 
open air. Would work on his farm during the week, and walk twenty 
or thirty miles to preach on Sunday, finding his way through the woods, 
by marked trees. Sometimes he would lose the trail in the darkness, 
and be compelled to " sleep out" during the night. He would seldom 
receive anything for his services ; was looked upon as the spiritual fa- 
ther of many of the churches of the Steuben and Yates Associations. 
He was a friend of the benevolent organizations of the day, especially of 
trie Baptist State Convention. Died, in Milo, Dec. 6, 1864, aged 85 years. 

B. R. Swick. 

Born, Jan. 2, 1808. Married, Feb. 8, 1826. Converted, Oct. 1830. 
B'd. Jan. 2, 1831. L.. Barrington, 1831. O.. Oct. 1, 1835 P.. Ben- 
nettsburg, Mecklenburg, Big Flats, Bath, York, Lima, Ogden, Man- 
chester. Died at Manchester, Aug. 24, 1870. He was the first pastor 
of the church at Lima, 1854. The church was recognized Dec. 18, 1854, 
Pres. E. G. Robinson, preaching the recognition sermon. A new house 
of worship was dedicated. Ma}-, 1856, when Pres. M. B. Anderson, 
preached. J. P. Briggs, of Lima, says in his historical sketch : "Much 
of our prosperity and success, both spiritual and temporal, should be 
attributed to the indefatigable labors of our pastor, Rev. B. R. Swick. 

David Taylor. 

Born near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Eng., Aug. 29, 1800. Converted 
in his nineteenth year. Began to preach at Killan. Saw his need of an 
education, and in opposition to the advice of friends and of his pastor, 
who thought that ministers did not need book learning, entered Baptist 
College at Bradford, Yorkshire. His wife cheerfully consented to share 
his self-denying labors. At Bradford enjoyed the friendship of Dr. 



256 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



Steadman and Professor Goodwin. O.. Binley. P.. Binley, (7); 
Stoneham, in Devonshire ; Heddon, in Yorkshire. Came to America 
June, 1842, and was very kindly received by Drs Cone and Tucker, of 
New York. P.. York ; Earlville. Here he won the esteem of Nathaniel 
Kendrick, and the professors in the School of the Prophets, at Hamil- 
ton. P.. Montrose, Pa.. Ovid, N. Y., Terre Haute, Ind., where, after 
a short illness, he died Aug. 2, 1857, his old friend President Bailey, of 
Franklin College preaching his funeral sermon. His sermons were 
thoroughly studied and eminently scriptural. He won everywhere the 
love of his people and the confidence of his brethren. 

Minor Thomas. 

Minor Thomas was bornin the western part of Connecticut, but re- 
moved when in youth to Albany Co., N, Y. Here he made a public 
profession of religion, and united with a Baptist church. In 1798, he 
emigrated to the town of Ovid, in Onondaga Co, now Covert, Seneca 
Co., where, by economy, industry and good management, he succeed- 
ed in accumulating a handsome property. Soon after his settlement, he 
began to be known as a local preacher, and after the church was organ- 
ized in 1803. he seems to have given more time to its service as it in 
creased in numbers. The old first church at Covert was a huge, barn- 
like building, with lumber enough in the heavy timbers to have built 
several modern buildings of the same size. It was clapboarded without, 
lathed and ornamented with a " scratch-coat " of plastering within. With 
the exception of the pulpit it was innocent of paint. Enough white 
paint was in some way secured to prime the pulpit which was then 
decorated by occasional "dabs" of red paint. A wide alley-way ran 
through the center of the church, on one side of it sat the men, on the 
other the women. The builder forgot to put in stairs for the gallery, so 
a stairway was built outside and in front of Ihe churcfe. When Col. 
Hermon Camp's company of cavalry was about to start from Trumans- 
burg for Niagara, in 1812, they accepted an invitation to listen to a dis- 
course from Elder Thomas, in the old church, before continuing their 
march to the frontier. Mr. E C. Gregg, of Trumansburg, was one of 
the lads taken to church that morning to hear the sermon to the soldiers. 
He was pastor at Covert for fifteen years, removing to Fayette Co., Ind., 
in 1818. After preaching for some time in Indiana, he was laid aside by 
a stroke of paralysis, but recovering in part his strength, he entered up- 
on his work with renewed ardor. Another paralytic shock compelled 
him to give up pastoral labor, and about three months afterward, having 
endured his sickness with the utmost patience and serenity, he fell 
asleep in Jesus. During his ministry, he is said to have baptised more 
than twelve hundred converts. His last sermon was from Psalms, 126 : 6 : 
" He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubt- 
less come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." 

Hermon F. Titus. 

Born, Jan. 12, 1852. B'd. Dec, 1867, in First Baptist church, N. Y. 
City. L.. 1869, by Stanton St., church, N. Y. City. Grad. Lawrence 
Academy, Groton, Mass., 1866; at M. U., 1873. Prof., of Mathematics 
in New London, (N. H.) Literary and Scientific Institution, 1874-75. 
Grad. from Hamilton Theol. Sem.,' 1876, teaching in 1875-6 for one year 
in Colgate Academy. Married Sara A. Adams, of New York City, 1871. 
O.. as pastor of the First church Ithaca, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1876. Pastor 
at Ithaca, 1876-80. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 257 

William N. Tower. 

Born, Lenox, Susquehanna Co., Pa., Oct. 24, 1836. B'd. Oct. 23, 
1853, by his father, Rial Tower, pastor of Lenox church. L.. Nov. 1857. 
Studied at Lewisburg University. Supplied Starrucca and Preston 
Center churches, 1861. Married, Jennie A. Mackie Oct. 22, 1861. O.. 
Lenox, Oct. 24, 1861. P.. Maple Hill, Wayne Co., Pa., 1862 ; Hanover 
Center. N. Y., 1863; Olean, 1866; Cortland, 1870-73 ; Newark Valley, 
1874; Dundee, 1875-6. Pastor at North Hector since April, 1871. 

Bowles C. Townsend. 

Born, Delaware Co., N. Y., Aug. 2, 1820. B'd. Lodi, by Elder De- 
Land. Grad. M. U., 1849. L.. Lebanon, N. Y., April 13, 1844. O.. 
Lodi, Oct. 1849. Married Calista A. Barry, of Ovid, Seneca Co., 1849. 
Preached at Sing Sing, and ai Hope Chapel, N. Y. City. P.. North 
church Staten Island, Manchester, Mecklenburg, 1854-56 ; Peach Or- 
chard, 1857-59; Bethel, ( Gorham ) ; and Hempstead, Rockland Co., 
his last pastorate. He was a faithful, affectionate, and earnest preacher. 
Attending the State Convention of New Jersey, he was suddenly taken 
ill and fell asleep in Jesus Dec. 18, 1861, having been most tenderly 
cared for by the friends at whose house he died. His own kindness of 
heart was proverbial, and the measure he gave was returned to him, 
heaped up, pressed down, and running over. His end was peace, 
peare.f^ Vie was buried at Greenwood, L. I. 

Charles A. Votey. 

Born, New York, Oct. 28, 1828. Converted, Sept. 28, 1845. B'd. 
by John Dowling, Dec. 6, 1845, into the Berean church. L.. by that 
church June 28, 1848. M. U., 1849-50. O.. English Neighborhood, N. 
J., June. 1851. P.. English Neighborhood, Etontown, Ovid, 1855- 
64 ( 9 ) ; Phelps, Castile, Spencer, Phelps again. West Brattleboro, Vt. , 
this being his present pastorate. Is a strong preacher, a hand-working 
pastor, and has been richly blessed in evangelistic labors. 

Chauncey Wardner. 

Born, Jay, Essex Co., Feb. 23, T814. L . Andover, N. Y., 1841. Mar- 
ried, Feb. 14, 1841, Margaret Ann Tidd. O.. Rushford, March, 1842. 
P.. Rushford, ( 5 ) ; Covert, Mumford, Perry, 1858. Here he baptised 
about 100 converts. Adams, Forestville, North Hector, 1872, (5.). He 
spent some 12 years in the Seneca Association, and expects to return to 
it to pass the remainder of his days. A historical sketch of the church 
in Strykersville, speaks in high praise of his labors. He is beloved by 
the churches. Now pastor at Stillwater. 

Benjamin Warren. 

Born, Otego, N. Y.. March 1,1812. B'd. Solon, by B. Capron, March, 
1826. L.. McGrawville. P.. Freetown, ( 1 ). O.. Freetown, June 1, 
1842. P.. Bennettsburg, 1842-5; Ovid, 1845-8; Lodi (2). Obliged 
by ill-health to cease preaching. Resides near Canandaigua. Has 
never left a church divided. 

Elijah Weaver. 

Born, Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 7, 1799. B'd. at thirteen years of 
age Began preaching when under twenty, first at Camillus, then at 
Lysander, where he was ordained. P.. East Mendon, (12). An evan- 
gelist for several years. P.. Medina, Walled Lake, Mich., Farmer Vil- 
lage, N. Y., 1858-9. His health being impaired by arduous labors, he 



258 Seneca Baptist Association. 

retired to a farm at Bellevue, Mich. Here he met death with Christian 
confidence, April 23, 1868. Rev. Dr. T. Edwin Brown says of him, in 
his historical discourse. " He was a Boanerges in the pulpit, preach- 
ing often with his coat off, and swinging his arms as a harvester gather- 
ing in his sheaves. His ministry was one unbroken revival, and peo- 
ple thronged from Rochester and other places to hear hirn preach." Dr. 
O. C. Comstock, when pastor at Rochester, would say sportively, when 
he saw many of his congregation going fourteen miles to hear Elder 
Weaver : " I guess we had better move our church out to Mendon, and 
so have but one pastor," H. R. Stimson, in his autobiography, devotes 
a chapter to Elder Weaver, by whom he was baptised. " Elder Weaver 
was a large, bony, angular, rough looking man. He was what we boys 
used to call ' cock-eyed,' not cross-eyed, but the opposite, so that while 
he seemed to be looking in one direction he would really look in the 
other. His complexion was dark, his bushy whiskers as black as a 
raven. Whiskers were then not as orthodox as now. He wore his black 
hair long. He was a great singer, and it used to be said that he sang 
everybody into the church. Elis associates all loved and respected him, 
though they were not blind to his faults. Among his cotemporaries 
were: O. C. Comstock, R. Powell, Philander Kelsey, N. Bentley, I. 
Roberts, M. Allen, Ichabod Clark, D. and J. Corwin, Alfred Bennett, 
John Peck, Horace Griswold, Aristarchus Willey, Jos. and Tesse Elliott, 
Zenas Case and Martin Coleman. These ministers, mostly self-edu- 
cated, did their pioneer duty faithfully. Their fragrant memory is a 
rich heritage to the church. Let their names forever be embalmed in 
grateful hearts : among them, let Weaver be remembered gratefully as 
long as any. He was their equal." 

Julius W. Webber. 

Born, Cazenovia, N. Y,, Dec. 18, 1823. B'd., Aug. 17, 1839. Grad. 
Union Coll., July 26, 1849. Married, July 26, 1849, Mary A. Williams, 
of Cazenovia. O.. May 10, 1850, in the Second church at Rochester. 
Missionary of the A. B. H. M. S., at Stillwater, Min. P.. Romulus, 
Seneca Co., Sept. 1, 1855 ; Barrington, Cato, Cooper's Plains, Newfield^ 
Townsend, Franklin, Truxton, Holland Patent. Now pastor at Throops- 
ville, Cayuga Co., N. Y. 

George E. Weeks. 

Born, Norwalk, Conn., Nov. 19, 1851. Converted at Huntington, 
L. I., at seventeen years of age. By prepossession a Pedobaptist, after 
earnest studv of the Bible became a Baptist. Grad. M. U., 1873, Ham- 
ilton, T. S., 1875. Settled before graduation, at Belmont, Allegany Co., 
N. Y. Married Julia Keith, of Hamilton, June 23, 1875. O.. Aug. 31', 
1875. Pastor at Watkins since Jan. 1, 1879. 

Hezekiah West. 

Born, Grafton, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. B'd. Durham ville, N. Y., Nov. 
1831. L.. Sept. 1, 1833. Studied at Hamilton. Married Esther M 
Harden, of Verona, Oneida Co., Jan. 26, 1837. P.. Parma, Monroe 
Co. O.. Clarkson, Oct., 1839. Pastor at Mecklenburg, 1845-52. Here 
he succeeded in relieving the church from pecuniary embarrassment. 
Spiritual prosperity also ensued, and he writes of that period in his his- 
tory : 

" These were happy, golden days, 
Sweetly spent in prayer and praise." 



Seneca Baptist Association. 259 

Agent R. T. S., and afterward for Home Mission Society, retaining his 
connection with the Seneca Association for 15 years. The church at 
Watkins, burdened by a mortgage, called him to their relief, and he was 
their pastor for about two years. P.. also at Yates, 1862-3 I Pleasant 
Valley, Fulton Co., 1864. His present home is Lawton, Van Buren Co., 
Mich. 

N.N. Whiting. 

Born, Hollister, Mass.. June 19, 1792. Converted about 1813. Grad. 
Union Coll., Dr. Nott, Pres., about 1820. Taught school and practic- 
ed law. Pastor Presbyterian church at Schenectady. After the birth of 
his first child looked in the Bible to find authority for infant sprinkling. 
Became a Baptist. This step cost great sacrifice. He lost friends, repu- 
tation, temporal support. He suffered much. None of these things 
moved him. O.. Schenectady, Oct. 22, 1822. P.. Ballston, Vernon, 
Burnt Hills, Ithaca, 1830-1 ; Farmer Village, 1832 : Homer. Spent 
many years translating the Scriptures, in the service of the A. B. U. He 
also translated the so-called " Barnard Bible," and the whole New Tes- 
tament. It is said that he was the first man who ever reported a sermon 
for a newspaper. He died in Brooklyn, June 19, 1872. His second 
wife is still living in Brooklyn. Previous to his ordination as an evan- 
gelist, in 1822, he studied law, and was admitted to practice before the 
Supreme Court of N. Y., 1818. In 1830, he was called to the Profess- 
orship of ancient languages in Lexington College, Ky. He had read 
the Bible, in whole or in large portions in eleven languages ; giving 
most time to Latin, Hebrew, Chaldaic and Syriac versions. The obitu- 
ary com., of the L. I. Ass'n, Rev. J. W. Sarles, ch'n., reports: ''Brother 
Whiting, in the earlier part of his ministry, stood with the foremost 
among scholars in the Baptist denomination. Thirty years since, his in- 
fluence in Central New York was probably as wide as that of any other 
Baptist pastor, and was weakened only by his acceptance of views on 
Christ's second coming that have since become common. As an ex- 
pounder of the Bible he was regarded as eminently high authority. Dur- 
ing his whole life he was engrossed with the Word of God, and was 
known as a godly man." 

John Webster Wiggins. 

Born, Alexandria, N. H. Jan. 26, 1814. B'd, Concord, at seventeen 
years of age. Grad. Waterville, Me.. 1841. O.. Benton Center, N. Y. 
Feb. 26, 1845. Married Ann L. Chamberlin, of Syracuse, May 6, 1846. 
P.. Benton, (3): Manchester (4); Monterey ( 1 ); Farmer Village ( 6 ); — 
his longest and perhaps his happiest pastorate ; Throopsville, ( 1 ); Ira, 
( 1 ). Here failing health compelled him to cease from pastoral labor, 
though he preached as supply at Whitewater, Wis. and Penn Yan, N. 
Y. He died at Penn Yan, Nov. 14, 1862, calmly and trustfully falling 
asleep in Jesus. Elder Wiggins preached with unsparing plainness, 
yet he was of a gentle, loving spirit. He was a brother beloved, and 
faithful in doing his duty. His last audible petition was a plea that God 
would hasten the emancipation of the oppressed. 

Andrew Wilkins. 

Born, Eaton, Mad. Co.. Dec. 7, 1815. His oldest brother, Stephen, 
was also a Baptist minister. B'd and united with the 2d Milo church, 
Yates Co., at seventeen years of age. Studied with Wm. Chapin in 
Phila. L.. 1842: O.. Italy Hollow, 1844. P.. Italy Hollow; Rose; 
Tyrone Village ; Watkins ; Sennett. In 1863, Mis'y. at Beaufort, S. C. 
Impaired health compelled a return. P.. Cortland (7 )■; Canandaigua 



' 260 Seneca Baptist Association. 



(3); Clyde (3); Pastor at Greece, Monroe Co. for the last four years. 
His son, Frank L. Wilkins, a graduate of R. T. S. 1879, is pastor 
of the Second church in Auburn. 

A. B. Woodworth. 
Born, Caton, Steuben Co., June 4, 1837. Converted, 1850. Spent 
7 years in study. L.. Caton, March 23, 1856. Married Amandanette 
Smith, of Caton, Nov. 20, 1856. O.. Nov., 1857. P.. Nantichoke 
Springs, (4); Newfield, (5). Mis'y. of A. B. H. M. S., in South 
Carolina, (4). Came north compelled by failing health. P.. Caroline. 
Milburn, N. J., 1873-6 ; Summit, N. J. Pastor of Mt. Pleasant church, 
Newark, N. J., since Dec, 1878. 

Jonathan Parker Woodworth. 

Born, New London, Conn., July 15, 1775, the son of Jonathan Wood- 
worth, a native of Wales and a sea-captain. At about 14 years of age 
came with his father to the New York wilderness. We learn from the 
historical sketch of Maj. Orlo Horton, that they were among the first 
settlers at Ithaca, in 1788. About 1792, Capt. Jonathan Woodworth re- 
moved to lot No. 87, Seneca Co., a little north ^f Trumansburg. He 
was the only surveyor in the neighborhood, and was for many years a 
magistrate. J. P. Woodworth married Mary Ann Sherwood, in 1799. 
She died Feb. 19, 1813, leaving seven children motherless. Only two 
are now living, Mrs. Anna Halsey, of the church in North Hector, and 
Herman Woodworth, of the church in Trumansburg. He afterward 
married Abigail Wakeman. One son by this marriage, Hon. William 
C. Woodworth, resides in Marshall Town, la. His second wife died 
Dec. 31, 1853, and he spent the remainder of his life with his children 
and grand children. He died July 7, i860, at the home of his son, 
Orsamus, in Covert, Seneca Co. He seldom received pay for preaching, 
though he was long pastor at Enfield, and served many other churches 
as stated supply. His life was spent in the Seneca Association, and no 
face was more familiar than his at the early annual assemblies. He was 
a wise counselor, a revered pastor, honored and loved by all. 

Richard Woolsey. 

Richard Woolsey was born in Bedford, Westchester Co., N. Y., May 
14, 1772. He was baptised in his youth by Elder Levi Hall, began 
preaching when about twenty years ol age, and was ordained five years 
later. The greater part of his useful, earnest life was spent with two 
churches in Delaware county. Here, amid the hills and vales, he la- 
bored assiduously and acceptably for thirty-three years. He afterward 
preached for seven years at Covert, Seneca Co., where he was permitted 
to witness a glorious revival, nearly one hundred members being added 
to the church in 1841. His last charge was Farmer Village, where, in 
the decline of life, he preached for four years to the edification of the 
brethren and the glory of God. The grace that sustained him during a half 
century of toil as a minister and an evangelist, was not witheld from 
him when he was laid aside from active labors. God's goodness to him 
was a pleasant theme for him in his declining years, and when weari- 
some days and nights of pain were appointed him, he was sustained by 
the unseen Presence. He walked bj' faith almost as if by sight, and 
said to his pastor, a short time before he died • " My hope is clear / " 

David Wright. 

David Wright was born in New London, July 30, 1788. His father, 
an attorney, grad. of Yale Coll., died of yellow fever, leaving Martha 



Seneca Baptist Association. 261 



Hubbell Wright with small means and six children. David went to 
Boston at thirteen years of age and learned the art of printing. B'd. by 
Dr. Stillman, April 28, 1805. His mother was a strict Pedobaptist. 
Seeing candidates immersed by Dr. Baldwin, he recalled the teachings 
of the Scriptures concerning baptism, and never after doubted the mean- 
ing of the Bible language. L.. Norwich, ( 1st ch.) O.. Southington, 
Aug. 9, 1815, Asahel Morse preaching. He labored at Southington and 
Bristol, baptising many converts, among them Asa Bronson, Nathan 
Wildman, and lrenaeus Atkins, afterward successful ministers. He is 
doubtless the only surviving member of the council by which the 1st Bap. 
ch., in New Haven was recognized Oct. 30, 1816. P.. Wallingford, 
Kensington, Westfield, Agawam, The Farms, managing to live on the 
meagre salaries the churches could pay, or eking out these salaries by 
teaching. While pastor at Westfield, he was twice elected to the legis- 
lature of Mass. P.. Cummington. ( 8 ), finding the church with 38, leav- 
ing it with 140 members, baptising here his two oldest sons. Agent 
Conn. Convention. P.. Westminster, Westfield, Conn., Martha's Vine- 
yard, Northampton Conway, Mass., Woodstock, Conn., Waterville. N. 
Y., Romulus, Seneca Co., 1843-7 I Milford, Conn. Agent A. and F. 
B, S., in N. H. P. North Colebrook, Vt. ( 3). Preached at Weathers- 
field, and Stafford. His wife and true helpmeet, Abigail, daughter of 
Rev. Thos, Goddard, of Preston, died at New Haven, Nov. 5, 1857. 
P.. North Lyme, Conn. (4) ; Clinton, Conn. (2). In 1866, supply at 
Essex, Conn., and for the last time administered the ordinance of bap- 
tism. Since that time, he has preached occasionally in Conn., and N. 
J., residing with his son-in-law, Dea. Giles Potter, of Essex. His health 
is remarkably good, and for years he has been able to read without the 
use of glasses. The life of this active nonagenarian has been an event- 
ful one. and few men have been permitted to labor so long and so suc- 
cessfully for the Master. His son, T. G Wright, was also a pastor in 
the Seneca Association and his grandson, Wm. R. Wright, of Cohoes, 
was for several years pastor at Seneca Falls. 

Thomas Goddard Wright. 

Thomas G. Wright was born, Westfield, Mass., Jan. 18, 1820. B'd. 
by his father, at Cummington, Mass., July 31, 1831. Grad. Waterville 
Coll., Me., Aug. 14, 1839. Taught in Adams' Gram. School, Boston. 
Grad. Hamilton Institution, Aug. 17, 1842. P.. Avon Springs, ( 1 ). 
O.. Lyons, Aug. 7. 1844. Married, Aug. 30, 1846, Julia A. S Green, of 
Ithaca. P.. Claremont, N. H., 1847 ; Sandisfield, Mass., 1851. Engag- 
ed in rhurch extension work at Newark, N. J., 1853. P.. Westport, N. 
Y., 1855 I Franklindale, (Wappinger's Falls,) 1856; Cohancey church, 
( Rhoadstown, N. J.) i860. Supt. City Missions, Phila., 1871. P.. First 
church. Westerly, R. I., Newfane, Watkins, N. Y., 1875-6. Pastor at 
Media, Pa., since Oct. 1, 1878. G. H. Clapp, in his history of Frank- 
lindale church, writes: " Bro. Wright proved a faithful pastor, ever on 
the watch for the interests of the church. He departed leaving many 
warm friends." 

Philander Kelsey. 

Born, Berkshire Co., Mass., 1791. B'd. No. Norwich, Chenango Co., 
N. Y., 1810. Began preaching 1812. P.. Scipio, where many were bap- 
tised. East Avon, Webster, (3) the church numbering 50 when he be- 
gan and 150 when he closed his work Assisted Dr. O. C. Comstock 
in interesting revival meetings in Rochester. P.. Greece, (4) ; Berlin, Del. 
Co., O., laboring in adjoining counties. Sunbury, (3) ; Central College 



262 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



church, Genoa township O., having his regular Sunday preaching appoint- 
ments when nearly ninety years of age. In this work he was actively 
engaged until May, 1879. He died at Central College July 5, 1879, Rev. 
J. W. Isenberger preaching the funeral sermon, Rev'ds. J. V. K. Seeley, 
I. F. Stidham, and D. A. Randall taking part in the services. Although 
never a pastor in the Seneca Association, his name repeatedly occurs in 
its history. He attended its first anniversary meeting at Farmerville in 
1822, its session at Covert in 1825, and preached the sermon at the coun- 
cil which recognized the church at Farmer Village, Nov. 22, 1819. 



Churches Dismissed or Dropped, 



Berean, — Ithaca. — Constituted May 13, 1847, by 23 members who 
withdrew from the First church. Recognized June 16, 1847. B. B. 
Gibbs, licentiate, was the first preacher, George D. Crocker, the first 
pastor, ( 1848.) The church enjoyed a revival during the winter of 1847- 
8, the pastor being assisted by Elders Sheardown, Wardner and West, 
the church reporting 77 members at Association. A council was called 
to meet Aug. 29, 1848. for the ordination of B. B. Gibbs. Rev. D. 
Garthwait was pastor for three months. The church disbanded Feb. 6, 
185 1, a majority of the members accepting an invitation to unite with the 
First church, of which Rev. W. Cormac was the popular pastor. Dea- 
cons : H. K. Webster, Humphrey Martin. Clerks : R. M. Graves, H. 
Hunt, John Northrup. Licentiate : D. D. Atwater. 

Big- Flats. — Organized 1807. R. Goff first pastor. In the council of 
recognition, Romulus, Ovid, and Chemung were represented, Romulus 
by John Caton. First meeting-house built 1827, by the efforts of pastor 
P. D. Gillette. Succeeding pastors : S Wise, A. Jackson, B. R. Swick, 
D. Reed, J. Coffin, I. Easterbrooks, S. Keim, J. W. Emery, D. Bur- 
roughs, C. L. Bacon, W. N. Entwistle, N. Leavenworth. Members ill. 
A member of the Seneca Association, 1830-42. 

Catlin and Dix — Organized 1828, with 24 members. First pastor, 
T. S. Sheardown ; first clerk, A. C. Mallory. Member of Sen. Ass'n., 
1828-42. Society incorporated 1841. Meeting-house built 1843. Number 
of members 55, value of property $2860. Present officers : Pastor, Byron 
Cronk ; Deacons, A. Saylor, W. Culver. Supt. S. S., Henry Gray. 

Danby. — The church firsfr constituted in Danby removed to Ithaca 
1821. Another church was organized 1838, and united with Seneca As- 
sociation 1838, with 26 members. The next year it reports 62 members. 
A meeting-house, built when H. L. Grose was pastor, was dedicated 
1841. Pastors: E Kimball, H. L. Grose, J. R. Burdick, Dakin. J. G. 
Cownhoven, (licentiate) 1850; E. A. Hadley, 1852-3. Clerks: E. 
Kendall, J. Wilsey. L. K. Kendall, S. Smith, A. R. Dakin, H. Dakin. 
Present officers : Deacons : G. A. Todd, T. J. Stephens. Clerk : F. A. 
Todd. Trustees : G. A. Todd, Isaac Briggs, AmasaTupper. Supt. S. S.,A. 
Hopper. The church makes no report after 1854, and disappears from 
the minutes after 1861. Is a member of Broome and Tioga Association. 

Delmar. — Delmar or Denmark, church was constituted 1819, on Pine 
Creek, west of Wellsboro. Tioga Co., Pa. It was called, at one time 
Shippen, and Shipping. This body virtually disbanded in 1828, some of 
the members removing to Ellisburg, Pa., others helping to organize 
Middlebury church. The 2d Delmar church, sometimes known as 
Stony Fork, is south of Wellsboro, was constituted 1837, recognized 
1838, and has since received 330 members by baptism. P. Colegrove 



264 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



was pastor in 1838, E, A. Hadley in 1840, when 48 members are report- 
ed. A member of Seneca Association 1838-40. 

Dryden. — Organized Feb. 29, 1804, at Miller's Settlement, (afterward 
Etna, Tompkins <o.) Samuel Hemmingway is said to have been the 
first deacon. Meeting-house built 1832. United with Seneca Associa- 
tion, 1823, with 55 members, Stukely Carr, pastor. He ministered to 
the church until 1831, when he was succeeded by Philander Shedd. 
Dismissed 1832. with 71 members, to join Cortland Association. Pres- 
sent pastor, S. C. Ainsworth. Members 68. Value of church propert)- 
$4000. Supt. S. S., Geo. Bailey. 

Elmira. — Organized May 16, 1829, as Southport and Elmira church. 
Pastors : P. D. Gillette, H. C. Vogell, D. Robinson, Z. Grenell, E. W. 
Dickinson, J. G. Binney, C. N. Chandler, R. J. Wilson, E. Andrews, 
M. C, Manning, T. O. Lincoln, J. J. Keyes, Addison Parker, W. T. 
Henry. Name changed to First Elmira, June 24, 1853. First meeting- 
house built 1832. Members dismissed to constitute Southport church 
1854; 2 d Elmira, 1859. Number of members 500, 151 baptised by the 
present pastor. Value of property $22,000. A member of the Seneca 
Association 1830-42. Present officers : Pastor, W. T. Henry. Deacons : 
J. Grover, N. P. Fassett, H. M. Smith, J. N. Cooper, J. C. Seeley. 
Clerk : C. B. Bovier. Treas. O. C. Kingsbury. Collector : A. Walker. 
Supt. S. S., J. Sloat Fassett. 

Horseheads. — Constituted as Fairport church, April 22, 1840, with 
22 members. A member of Sen. Ass'n., 1840-42. Pastors: A. Jack- 
son, P. D. Gillette, G. M. Spratt, Z. Grenell, W. Mudge, P. Olney, D. 
Porter Leas, T. E Phillips, G. W. Abrams, P. Perry, A. N. Whitmarsh. 
Church edifice built 1840, remodeled 1867. Members 130. Present officers : 
Pastor, A. M. Bennett. s Deacons: A. M, Wheat, J. Brees. Supt. S. 
S., Chas. Hathaway. 

Lake Ridge. — This church, variously known as West Lansing, Lan- 
sing and Genoa, Lake Ridge, etc , was organized as the First Baptist 
church of Milton, Oct. 31 1796. Constituent members : M. Starr, Anna 
Starr, Benajah Strong, Abigail Strong, Chas. Townley, Lydia Gillette, 
Luther Barney, Sarah Bacon, Joel Bacon, Thankful Bacon, Pierpont 
Bacon, Jerusha Bacon, Wm. Avery, Abigail Woodruff. First pastor, 
Micajah Starr, who ministered until he died March 14. 1820, aged 73 
years. Succeeding pastors : Elijah Benedict, Elder Beebee. Without 
pastor, 1828-36. A. Drake, 1836-9; F. Dusenberry 1843-4; an d again 
1861-8. T. Theal, (licentiate) 1845; E. Dean, 1846; B. Ames, 1847: 
Geo. Plumer, 1850 ; Wm. Everett, 1856. First deacon, Benajah Strong ; 
.first clerk, Joel Bacon. Succeeding clerks: F. Dusenberry, 1843; H. 
Smith, 1845 ; N. Nivison, 1846 ; J. Campbell, 1856 ; D Campbell 1859 ; 
H.^Perry, 1861. Meeting-house built 1840, at Lake Ridge, situated ac- 
cording to the lease, "between Farmer's tavern and the old cider mill." 
Since 1869, no meetings have been held, and the church has practically 
disbanded. United with Seneca Association 1843, with 39 members, 
name dropped from the minutes, 1871. 

Peach Orchard — The Fourth church in Hector was organized April 
11, 1820; P. P. Roots, Mod., O. C. Comstock, Clk, of council, sermon 
by O. C. Comstock. Meetings were held in school-houses until 1839. 
when a meeting-house was built. List of pastors : O. C. Comstock, J. 
Fisk, U. B. Miller, R. G. Lewis, W. S. Smith, S. M. Plumb, A. Wells, 
H. R. Dakin, 1850 ; Wm. Cormac, A. Day, G. Johnson, 1853 ; Wm. Ever- 
ett, B. C. Townsend, 1857 ; J. G. Spooner, i860. Deacons : Henry Ger- 



Seneca Baptist Association. 265 

man, Samuel Hartley, Stephen S. German, Abram Slaght, Elisha Payne. 
Clerks : H. Bacon, Ira Reynolds, Jeptha Palmer, 1827 ; M. T. Taquish, 
1835 ; J. Saxton; A. Hanley, 1839-69. Society clerks : E. Payne," J. Van- 
Hoesen, R. R. Hanley, Abram Slaght, A. Hanley. The church was 
never strong, and in 1869 the majority of the remaining members united 
with the church in North Hector. 

Reading.— Organized by Elder Goff, 1803, with 25 members. Divided 
by anti-mission influences, and disbanded Jan. 5, 1833. Reorganized, 
Jan. 12, 1833, with 45 members, T. S. Sheardown, pastor. Meeting- 
house built, 1836. Pastors succeeding Elder Sheardown, P. Shedd, P. 
Colegrove. F. Donaldson, B. W. Capron, A. B. Chase, C. L. Bacon, W. 
F. Nixon, C. S Van Allen, L. R Reynolds, T. F. Edwards, S. Robson, 
C. P. Mott. Present pastor S. J. Lusk. Deacons: J. H. Nichols, F. 
Goundrey. Clerk : S. D. Smith. Trustees : S. Scott, W. H. Hurley, 
R. Goundrey. 

Third Hector. — Constituted 1820. United with Seneca Association 
1S22, with 55 members. Seems never to have had a settled pastor. A feeble 
folk. J. Hatt, licentiate, was acting pastor 1829-33. Reported 23 mem- 
bers in 1835. Dropped from the records. A few of the members con- 
stituted an Old School church. 

Tioga. — The first church constituted in the territory now known as 
Tioga county was the New Bedford Baptist church, organized Feb. 20, 
1796, with nine members, David Jayne being the first pastor. The church 
was afterward known as the Tioga and Barton church at Flalsey Valley. 
Elder Jayne was the pastor for fourteen years. In 1830, this church, 
then' known by the name of Tioga, was received as a member of the 
Seneca Association ; in 1833 it was dismissed to unite with the Steuben 
Association. Rev. D. Piatt was then pastor, It reports in 1878 forty- 
four members. 

Waverly. — Organized, June 24, 1824, at Ulster, Bradford Co., Pa., 
with 16 members. First pastor Thomas Beebee. It was called Athens 
and Ulster church, then Athens and Chemung, and in 1836, Factoryville 
under which name it belonged to the Seneca Association 1836-42, when 
it was dismissed to Chemung River. It reports 291 members, 229 S. S. 
Scholars. Value of property $15,000. Pastor: B. G. Boardman. Supt. 
S. S., H. Hallett. 

First Church in Virgil. — Constituted 1808. Received, 1822, with 
100 members ; distressed, 1826, to Cortland Association. W. W. Pow- 
ers, pastor, 1824-7. 

Valley Church Virgil. — Received 1823, with 23 members, David 
Robinson pastor. Dismissed, 1826, with 96 members, to Berkshire As- 
sociation. 

First Elmira. — Received 1828, with 78 members. Reports 101 mem- 
bers in 18*39. Pastors: P. D. Gillette, 1829-35, Aaron Jackson, 1835- 
40. Dismissed, 140. 

Elmira and Fairport. — Constituted and received 1840, with 27 mem- 
bers P. D. Gillette, pastor 1841-2. Dismissed to Chemung River As- 
sociation, 1842, with 1847 members. 

Big Flat and Catlin. — Organized 1842, was received that vear with 
55 members, dismissed to Chemung River Association, 1842. 

Caton. — Constituted J832, was received, 1840, with 55 members. Pas- 
tors : S. Bullock, 1840 ; J. Woodworth, 1841-2. Dismissed, 1842. 

East Romulus.— Constituted 1820, by a faction of the Romulus church, 
Pastor: John Caton, 1820-27. In 1822, 56 members. Disbanded 1828. 



Soldiers of the Seneca Association. 



It is always pleasant to bear testimony to the bravery of men who have 
risked their lives in defense of their country. As evidence of the patri- 
otic spirit which animated the churches when the call came to fight for 
the Nation, I hoped to give the names of the brave men who enlisted in 
the last war for the Union from the several churches and congregations 
of the Association. The majority of the churches fail to furnish the need 
ed statistics, four of them report as follows: 

Covert. — Oscar Burch, Wm. II. Cole, severely wounded at Gettysburg, 
July 3, 1863, again wounded in the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. Wm. H. 
Cheesman, severely wounded at Gettysburg, July 3. 1863. Richard C.Dim- 
mick, twice wounded ; George C. King,noble and brave, killed at Gettys- 
burg, July 3, 1863. The above were all in the 126th Regiment N. Y. S. V. 
Chas. Hopkins, Hannibal Hopkins, D. Stewart Hopkins, Ass't Surgeon 
nith N. Y. S. V., promoted to Surgeon 4th Del. V., died in the service. 
Edward Mason, Henry Mason, Alonzo W. Murphy, severely wounded, 
Maryland Heights ; died in Covert, on furlough, Oct. 27, 1862. Stephen 
Ogden. 

North Hector. — John Bassett, 50th N. Y. Engineers, served 1864-5. 
Arlo P. Brown, 15th, N. Y. S. V., 1864-5. Ezra A. Chaffee, 161. N. Y. 
S. V. Died at Vicksburg, July, 1864. Firman W. Clawson, 148th N. 
Y. S. V., 1862, until close of war. Hibbard S. Clawson, 50th, N. Y., 
Engineers, 1864, until close of war. Riley Fletcher, 50th, N. Y., En- 
gineers, 1861. Died at City Point, May 22, 1862. Henry Lamereaux, 
103d, N. Y. S. V., 1862-5 Charles D. Van Vleet, 141, N. Y. S. V. 
Died at Nashville, April 13, 1864. John Van Vleet, 107th, N. Y. S. V. 
Died at Chattanooga, from wounds received at Resaca, June,* 1864. 

Farmer Village. — The following soldiers, with perhaps one excep- 
tion, were members of the Sunday-School of the Farmer Village Baptist 
church. A * marks a member of the church. *Ansel P. Austin, 148th, 
Reg't. Geo. Bills, Heavy Artillery. John M. Chadwick, 126th, Reg't.. 
Band Master. ( First Lieut.) *Wm. (..lark, 126th, wounded. *R. Beach 
Covert, (now M. D., Seneca Falls) 126th. *Edwin Covert, 75th Reg't., 
died in service. *Alfred Davis, connected with 126th. Eli Dunham, 50th 
Engineers ; Henry Dunham, 50th Engineers ; Ansel P. Ford, Mich. Reg't. 
*[R**v.] Louis J. Gross, drummer, nith Reg't. Deland Hall, nith. Harris 
Hall, nith. *Eugene K. Holton, 126th, wounded at Gettysburg. *J. H. 
Lefler, 75th, wounded. *Eli Longstreet, nith. *Isaac Miller, nith, died 
in service. Anson Morehouse, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. John Parker, 
75th. *Frank Rappleye, 126th. Milton Rappleye, 75th. *Mortimer Rap- 
pleye, Serg't , Mich., Reg't,, killed. Samuel Rappleve, 148th, deceased, 
1879, never recovering from exposure in army. Ward Rappleye, 108th, 
killed. *John L. Ryno, Corp., 126th. *[Re\\] Winfield Scott, Chaplain, 
afterward Capt., 126th, twice severely wounded. Hudson Swick, 126th, 
severely wounded in front of Petersburg. Died from his wounds. *Arcelus 



Seneca Baptist Association. 267 

Smith, 75th, died in the service. *Bennett Treadwell, 126th. Sanford 
Tucker, 75th. *Sylvester Tucker, 111th, youthful but brave, killed in 
charge at Petersburg. *Frank Van Ortwick, 75th, wounded. *Sebring 
Van Ortwick, 75th. M. Vaughn, 126th, killed. 

Trumansburg. — Oliver C. Ayers, First Lieut., 39th, Iowa, U. S. V. 
Killed at Allatoona, when acting as aid to the commander, Gen. Corse. 
" His death was as glorious as his life had been true to the principles 
of honor and justice." R. Emmett Ayers, 21st N. V. cavalry; died in 
the service, at Ft. Collins, Colorado, Dec. 18, 1865. John O. Aiken, 
137th Reg't., wounded Dec. 20, 1864. Hiram Bloomer, 1st Serg't., 137th 
Reg't., wounded Oct, 29, 1863. Monmouth Chandler, 21st N. Y., caval- 
ry ; wounded at New Market, May 15, 1864. Philander S. Cronk, 109th 
Reg't.; died at Washington, July n, 1865. Wm. Doxtader, 75th N. Y. 
S. V. James Easling, 137th Reg't., wounded. Nov. 27, 1863. Chas. H.. 
Fish, 21st N. Y. cavalry. Norman R. Gifford, Orderly Serg't, Acting 
Lieut. 10th N. Y. cavalry. J. DeLoss Lewis, Surgeon 85th N. Y. S. 
V. Chas. Lyon. 21st N. Y., cavalry ; wounded at Staunton. Died while 
a prisoner. David McCoy, 126th N. Y. S. V. Albert H. Pierson, Capt., 
Brevet Major, 137th N. Y. S. V. Charles Robinson, 137th N. Y. S. V. 
Wounded at Wauhatchie, Tenn.. Oct. 28, 1843, Died Nov. 5, 1863, at 
Bridgeport, Ala. Dewitt Robinson. Henry Rudy, Jr., First Lieut., 137th 
N. Y. S. V. Wounded Oct. 29, 1863, and May 15, 1864. George Ser- 
rine, 137th N. Y. S. V ; killed at Gettysburg,' July 3, 1863. S. Allen 
Sherwood, Corp. 21st N. Y. cavalry. Henry H. Slauson, First Lieut. 
137th N. Y. S. V ; afterward Lieut, in cavalry. John H. Terry, Capt. 
137th N. Y. S. V. Since State Senator in Missouri. Geo. W. Warne, 
Serg't. 21st N. Y., cavalry ; wounded at New Town, Va., May 13, 1864. 
Hanford Warring, 109th N. Y. S. V.; died a prisoner. Eliphalet Weed, 
died in the service. Horace J. Woodworth, Second Lieut. Orrin Wood- 
worth. 

Additions. 

Additional sketches : Horace J. Baldwin, Born, July 10, 1857 ; con- 
verted Jan., 1877; licensed at Watkins, July 6, 1879. Pastor at West 
Danby, 1879. 

Barzilla King, pastor at Mecklenburg, 1824-6. Married Sally Thomas, 
sister of Elder Minor Thomas. He was the youngest of six brothers, 
sons of Barzilla King, S_r., and coming from Dutchess county, settled in 
Seneca Co., in 1796. 

Hiram Bloomer, long an active member of the Ovid church, afterward 
an honored member at Trumansburg, died April 26, 1877. The follow- 
ing lists were not furnished in time for insertion in sketches of churches. 
Trustees of Ovid, ( Scott's Corners ) church: Geo. W. Dickerson, Augus- 
tus S. Parish, Theodore Dowers. Trustees of Watkins church : S. W. 
Sackett, E. O. Allen, P. Page, M. Skinner, L. H. Durland, N. Brown. 



Conclusion. 



The reader will no doubt remember that this is not an ideal history. 
The task was attempted by the writer because there seemed to be no 
one else who would undertake it. It has been a labor of love, ) r et long 
and wearisome. Many hundred letters and circulars have been sent out 
in search of statistics, the records of most of the churches have been 
studied from the beginning. 

The statictics obtainable differ so widely in amount and in kind, that 
they could be measured by no common standard. The design has been 
to describe each church and each individual, as fully as space allowable 
and information obtainable would permit. The sketches note briefly the la- 
bors of pastors, licentiates, and associational evangelists concerning whom 
I could glean information : they are necessarily brief, but include many 
items of general interest. A special endeavor has been to preserve the 
early history of the Association; to speak well of the dead or to be silent ; 
and to indulge sparingly in eulogy of the living, except when speaking 
of men advanced in years. The faces of many of the later members of 
the Association speak for them. All of the present pastors would have 
thus appeared had their photographs been furnished as requested. I 
have hoped so to present the history of our loved Seneca Association, 
that her sons may be led to emulate the noble deeds of their fathers, that 
thus each generation may surpass the one before it in lives of love and 
self-sacrifice. 

For the few typographical errors which may be detected, the com- 
positor is not responsible. They must be attributed to the occasional 
use of " turned " type, and to the fact that the proof was read at a dis- 
tance from the press. Errors in dates and names may have occurred in 
copying statistics recorded by hundreds of writers. In comparing au- 
thorities, and even in the same record, we find numerous contradic- 
tions, conflicting dates, names spelled in various ways. Of the thir- 
teen churches which organized the Association, it is doubtful if one re- 
tains the name by which it was known at first. Rev. Diedrich Willers, 
to whom reference is made on page 18, is pastor of a German Reformed, 
not Lutheran church. 

Among those to whom I am indebted for aid in obtaining statistics 
are : Pastors, A. D. Abbott, Geo. Brown, A. D. Clark, L. J. Gross, A. 
C. Mallory, J. J. Phelps, W. N. Tower, G. E. Weeks, Dea. C. W. 
Burghardt, Dr. O. C. Comstock, Jr., Dea. W. N. Sage, of Rochester, 
Jas. Cormac, Esq., N. C. Miller, Esq , O. N. Worden, the historian, 
Mr. W. D. Bennett, Mr. D. H. Ayers, Mrs. Jos. Dunlap, Sr., Miss Ida 
Folwell, Mrs. Ellis Brooks, a grand-daughter of Elder Caton ; Revd's. 
J. D. Cole, D. D., C. A. Votey, F. D. Fenner, E. Royce. Breth. J. P. 



Seneca Baptist Association. 269 

Rappleye, A. Miller, C. V. Covert, and Pierpont Bassette, of the Farm- 
er Village church, have aided in recalling the early history of the Asso- 
ciation. 

Works consulted in the preparation of this volume : Hist. Bap. Mis'y 
Convention, by Peck and Lawton ; First Half Cent. Mad. Univ., 1872 ; 
Belden's Cayuga Ass'n.; Benedict's Hist, of the Baptists ; Hist. Seneca 
Co., Evarts Ensign and Evarts, 1876 ; Hist. Tioga, Chemung, Tomp- 
kins and Schuyler Counties, Evarts and Ensign, 1879 ; Delafield's Sen- 
eca Co.; The League of the Iroquois, L. H. Morgan, LL. D.; School- 
craft's Iroquois ; Methodism in Ithaca, C. D. Burritt, 1852 ; Gen. Cata- 
logue, R. T. S., 1876 ; Lives of Sheardown, Knapp, Stimson, Bennett, 
D. H. Gillette. Various histories of churches and Associations ; Files 
of minutes of forty-five New York Associations. 

Addenda. 

Unavoidable delay in publication enables us to report the proceed- 
ings of the Association for 1879 : 

The fifty-eighth session of the Association was held at Trumansburg, 
Sept. 30th and Oct. 1st, 1879. Rev. A. D. Abbott preached the intro- 
ductory sermon from Luke 14: 25-33. Rev. Louis J. Gross, of Romu- 
lus, was Moderator, Rev. G. E. Weeks, of Watkins, and J. C. West- 
ervelt, of Ithaca, Clerks. 

Benevolent organizations were represented by able advocates in Rev. 
Dr. C. P. Sheldon, of Troy, for Home Missions; Rev. Geo. H. Brighami 
of Syracuse, for Foreign Missions ; Rev. C. W. Brooks, of Watkins for 
the State Convention, Rev. Frank Remington, of Buffalo, for the Publi- 
cation Society; Rev. G. H. Elgin, of Rochester, for ministerial educa- 
tion. 

Mrs. A. C. Mallory read an interesting address before the Woman's 
Missionary Society ; Mrs. Andrew Miller presiding. J. Milton Lovell 
was ordained as a deacon of the church in Trumansburg, Rev'ds. J. J. 
Phelps, F. H. Gates, W.N. Tower, G.H. Brigham, and Deas. M.T. Co- 
burn, W. W. Boorom and J. C. Sackett taking part in the services. 
Rev. Frank Remington preached from John, 16 : 8. On Wednesday 
morning after a business session, the Association enjoyed a season of 
conference, in which Breth. J. P. Rappleye, Allen Pease, Mrs. Man* 
Treman and others participated. The committee on obituaries made 
special reference to the death of the lamented and honored Dr. N. W. 
Folwell, of Romulus. 

The Association gave this history its official endorsement, and re- 
commended it to the churches by resolution. Rev. W. N. Tower 
preached the closing sermon from. Phil. 3 : 10, and after appropriate re- 
marks by the Moderator, the Association adjourned to meet next year at 
North Hector, Rev. L. J. Gross, or Rev. A. C. Mallory to preach the 
opening sermon. 



ASSOCIATIONAL MEETINGS 



Year. 


Place. 


i Pkeacher. 


Text. 


Moderator. 


1821 


Covert, 








1822 


Farmerville, 


. ■ O. C. Comstock, . . 


Acts 16; 31, 


O. C. Comstock, . . 


1823 


Farmerville, 


. j Chester Coburn, . . 


1st Cor. 6 ; 20, 


C. Coburn, 


1824 


Farmerville, 


.; O. C. Comstock,.. 


Deut. 6 ; 4, 


O. C. Comstock,. . 


1825 


Covert, 


i E. Hodge, 


John, 3 ; 1, 


O. C. Comstock,. . 


1826 


Trumansburg, 


. i D. Robinson, 


1st John, 3:2, 


O. C. Comstock, . . 


1827 


Romulus, 


i John Sears, 

;i j. c. Hoit, 


Ps. 102 ; 16, 


John Caton, .... 


1828 


Covert, 


Isa. 9:7, 


A. Abbott, 


1829 


Trumansburg, . . . 


! J. Sears, 


Ps. 126 ; 6, 


J. Sears, 

P. D. Gillette, .... 


1830 


Ithaca, 


; Aaron Abbott, 


Matt. 16 ; iS, 


1 83 1 


Ovid, 


[j'U.B. Miller, 


2d Peter, 3 ; 14, 


P. D. Gillette, . . . 


1832 


Elmira, 


i J. Sears, 


John 4 ; 24, 


P. D. Gillette, .... 


1833 


Lodi, 


"; P.D.Gillette, 


Isa. 65 ; 1, 


A. Abbott, 


1834 


Farmerville, 


"I U.B.Miller, 


John 3 ; it, 


P. D. Gillette, .... 


1835 


Covert, 


[\ P.D.Gillette, 


Eph.4 ; 23, 


U.B.Miller, 


1836 


Elmira, 


i C. G. Carpenter,. . 


John 10; 37, 


T. S. Sheardown,. 


1837 


Mecklenburg, . . . 


J P.Shedd, 


1st Cor. 10 : 31, 


C. G. Carpenter, . . 


1838 


Romulus, 


. ! A.Jackson, 


Isa. 52 ; 7, 


C. G. Carpenter, . . 


1839 


Bennettville , . . . 


. i T. S. Sheardown, . 


1st Cor. 15 ; 25, 


S. S. Parr, 


1840 


Trumansburg, . 


! D. Robinson, 


John 18 ,-38, 


W. E. Locke, 


1841 


Ithaca, 


"i W. E.Locke,.... 


1st Tim. 3 ; 15, 


C. G. Carpenter,. . 


•^1841 


Lodi, 


'i J. F. Bliss, 


Isa. 24 ; 5, 


C. G. Carpenter, . . 


1842 


Elmira, 


i C.Deland, 


Psa. 67; 1,3, 


J.D. Cole, 


*i842 


Enfield, 


'i J. D.Cole, 


Mark 16 ; 15, 


C. Deland, 


1843 


Ovid, 


■ A. B. Earle, 


Psa. 145 ; 11, 


H. B. Fuller, .... 


•"-1843 


Trumansburg, . . 


j! H. B. Fuller^ 


Psa. 72 ; 16, 


W.E.Locke, 


1844 


Reading, 


; Howel Smith, 


Isa. 33 ; 6, 


David Wright,.. 


*i844 


Covert, 


j P. Colegrove, 


Rev. 5 ; 5, 


D. W. Litchfield,. 


1845 


Enfield, 


. : A. Jackson, 


Phil. 3; 16, 


H.Smith, 


*i845 


Newfield, 


I T. S. Sheardown, 


1st Cor. 4 ; 2, 


T.S. Sheardown,. 


1846 


Farmerville, 


i T. S. Sheardown,. 


Hosea 14 ; 1, 


A. Jackson, 


1847 


Mecklenburg,.. . . 


.'• C.Wardner, 


John 15 ; 9, 


H. Smith, 


1848 


Trumansburg, . . . 


i J. H. Morrison,. . . 


2d Tim. 2 ; 3, 


Wm. Cormac, 


1849 


Lodi, 


i H.West, 


1st Cor. 3 ; 2, 3, 


H.West, 


1850 


Covert, 


i D. Taylor, 


Matt. 24 ; 45, 46, 


T. S. Sheardown,. 


1851 


Romulus., 


; j C. L. Bacon, .... 


Psa. 85; 6, 


Wm. Cormac, 


1852 


Ovid, 


i I. Fargo, Jr., 


Rev.8;3,5, 


C.Wardner, 


1853 


Ithaca, 


i J. Easterbrooks, . . 


Luke 24 ; 49, 


C. L. Bacon, 


1854 


Mecklenburg, . . . 


'i O. W. Gibbs,. .. 


Jude 20 ; 21, 


O. W. Gibbs,.... 


i855 


Farmerville, 


i J. M. Harris, 


Matt. 23 ; 8, 


J. M. Harris, 


1856 


Watkins, 


i J. W. Wiggins,. . . 


Matt. 5 ; 16, 


J. W. Wiggins, , . . 


1857 


Trumansburg, . . 


"j C. A. Votey, 


Gal. 6 ; 14, 


E. Marshall, 


1858 


Bennettsburg,.. . 
Covert, 


' j B. C. Townsend,. . 


2d Cor, 3 ; 18, 


H.West, 


1859 


' • C. L. Bacon, 


2d Peter 1 ; 16, 


C. L. Bacon, 


i860 


Lodi, 


' i E. Marshall, 


Luke 10 ; 20, 


C. A. Votey, 


1861 


Romulus., . . 


I; H.West, 


Sol. Song, 2 ; 10, 11, 


D. Corey, 


1862 


Ovid, 


i F. Dusenberry,. . . 


Isa. 35 ; 8, 9, 


F. Dusenberry, . . . 


1863 


Mecklenburg, . . . 


'J S. V. Marsh, 


Heb. 11,13, 


S. V. Marsh, 


1864 


Ithaca, 


' j D. Corey, 


Ps.4*;5, 


J. B. Smith, 

M W. Homes, . . . 


1865 


Farmerville, 


" ; M. W. Homes, .... 


Ps. 65 ; b, 


1866 


Trumansburg, . . 


"i J. B. Smith, 


Rev. 5 ; 5, 6, 


H. S. Card, 


1867 


Waterloo, 


; ] J. N. Folwell, 


2d Cor. 5 ; 14, 


F. D. Fenner, .... 


1868 


Lodi, 


i Wm. Sharpe, 


1st John, 1 ; 5, 


Wm. Sharpe,. . . 


1869 


Enfield, 


': J.N. Folwell, 


1st Peter, 2 ; 22, 23, . . . . 


M. M. Evarts, 


1870 


Covert, 


"i J. B. Smith, 


Heb. 11; 13, 


D.D. Owen,. ... 


1871 


Bennettsburg,.. . 


[\ D.D. Owen, 


John 3 ; 3 , 


G.A. Starkweather 


1872 


Mecklenburg, . . . 


' : G.A. Starkweather 


2d Pet. 1 ; 1, 


C. J. Shrimpton,. . 


1873 


Romulus, 


': A. B. Chase, 


John 19 ; 25, 


C.W.Brooks,.... 


1874 


Watkins, .. 


i C. Wardner, 


Isa. 33 ; 20, 21, 


A. B. Chase, 


1875 


Ovid, 


"i C. W. Brooks,.... 


Acts 1 ; 8, 


C. Wardner, 


1876 


Caroline, 


1 F. D. Fenner, 


2d Kings 13 ; 19, 


Lewis Halsey, 


1877 


Farmer Village,.. 


J T. G. Wright,.... 


Acts 17 ; 6, 


F. D. Fenner, 


1878 


Ithaca, 


• Lewis Halsey, . . . 


Mark 13 ; 34, 


A. D. Abbott,.... 


1879 


Trumansburg, . . . 


'! A.D.Abbott, 


Luke 14 ; 25, 33, 


Louis J. Gross,. . . 



* Semi-annual Meetings. 



ASSOCIATIONAL MEETINGS. 



[W. C. Writer of Circular letter. C. No. of churches. B. No. baptised. T. Total of 
members.] 



Year. 


Clerk. 


W. C. 


Cor Sec'y 


Treasurer 


jc 


B 


T 


1821 
1822 


J. Rappleye, 

Lewis Porter, .... 


O. C. Comstock, . .; 


Peter Rappleye, 




1*3 


51 


883 


1823 


C. Coburn, 1 


do 




■i x 5 


2 5 


973 


1824 


C. Coburn, 


O. C. Comstock,. . i 


do 




;i6 


20 


872 


1825 


Aaron Abbott, 


E. Hodge, | 


A Abbott, 




. ii6 


18 


880 


1826 


Aaron Abbott, 


O. C. Comstock,. . '• 


A Abbott, 


Lewis Porter 


,. |i6 


17 


916 


1827 


J. Sears, 


J. C. Holt, ; 


J C Holt, 


do.... 


.i'15 


85 


1036 


1828 


J. Fish, 


Let, Mad. As'n. . . i 


J Sears, 


do... 


.•17 


37 


IOIO 


1829 


S. Smalley, 


Jno. Sears, : 


do 


do.... 


. . J16 


36 


94 1 


1830 


U. B Miller, 


U.B.Miller, i 


do 


do.... 


. :2o 


206 


1411 


1831 


N. N. Whiting, . . . 


P. D. Gillette, . . . . i 


A Abbott, 


do.... 


J19 


302 


J 773 


1832 


A. Abbott, 


N.N. Whiting,...! 


do 


do.... 


:2o 


166 


1942 


1833 


Jno. Sears, 


J. R. Burdick, . . j 
No Circular, j 


do 


do.... 


. J20 


193 


2060 


1834 


E. Hodge, 


Jas McLallen, . . 


do.... 


J20 


i37 


2054 


1835 


C. G. Carpenter, . 


A. Cauldwell, j 


do....... 


do.... 


. ; 2 ° 


202 


2I 33 


1836 


C. G. Carpenter, . . 


C. G. Carpenter, . ; 


do 


do.... 


|2I 


79 


2129 


1837 


P. Shedd, 


H C Vogel, i 


do 


do.... 


. : 2 ° 


n3 


1989 


1838 


W. G. Wisner, 


C G Carpenter, . . . i 


do 


. . ..do.... 


. : 21 


285 


1996 


1839 


Wm. E. Locke,. . . 


No Circular, i 


do 


do.... 


. :' 2 ° 


4S3 


2 374 


1840 


B. R. Swick, 


W E Locke, i . 


do 


do.... 


. i 2 2 


160 


2406 


1841 


B. R. Swick,. ... 


D Robinson, j . 


do 


do.... 


:2o 


358 


2616 


1041 


B. R. Swick, 




do 


do.... 








1842 


Wm. E. Locke,. . . 


H B Fuller," !!!"..'"j; 


do 


do.... 


■i 14 




2621 


^1842 


L. Ransted, 






E Kimball, . 








1843 


Howel Smith, . . . 


p'goo, ......... r 


'.'.'.'.'.'.do.'.'.'.'.'.'. 


L Porter, . . . 


.■15 


2 34 


2050 


*i8 43 


J.D.Cole, 






do.... 








1844 


Jas. McLallen, . .. 


No Circular, j . 


'.'.'.'.'.'.'do.'.. ..'. 


do".. 


•N 


132 


2 °35 


*i8 4 4 


H. Smith, 






do.... 








1845 


D.W.Litchfield,.. 




'.'..'.'.'.do'.''.'.'.'.'\ 


do.... 


'.Us 


39 


*943 


*i8 4 5 


D.W.Litchfield,.. 




do 


Jas McLallen 


, ! . . 






1846 


H.West, 




do 


.. ..do.... 


i*s 


70 


2130 


1847 


J. H. Morrison,. .. 




do 


do... 


:i6 


S 2 


1815 


1848 


J. H. Morrison,. . . 




do 


do.... 


ii6 


83 


J 795 


1849 


C. D. Crocker,. . . . 




do 


do.... 


"I16 


93 


1762 


1850 


Wm. Cormac, ... 




do 


do.... 


'.\*7 


2 4 


1780 


1851 


H.West, 


D Taylor," "."!"! j" 


do 


do.... 


•16 


167 


1820 


1852 


I. Fargo, Jr., 


C L Bacon, ■ . 


do 


do.... 


'•16 


146 


X 93 J 


1853 


G.Johnson, 


W Wilkins, i . 


do 


do.... 


■16 


3 21 


2087 


1854 


J. M. Harris, 


Let Can. As'n, . . . i. 


do 


do.... 


'ii6 


65 


1958 


1855 


C.A.Votey, 


No Letter, j 


CL Bacon, 


do.... 


;ji6 


3^ 


1850 


1856 


C.A.Votey, 


C L Bacon, | 


Jas McLallen, . . 


N W Folwell 


Ms 


79 


1859 


1857 


C.A.Votey, 


J M Harris, \ . 


do 


do.... 


.: x 5 


47 


1835 


1858 


C.A.Votey, 


C A Votey, ■ . 


do 


do.... 


.1*5 


112 


1865 


1859 


C. A. Votey, 


OWGibbs, i. 


do 


do.. . 


J16 


362 


2196 


i860 


M. W. Homes, . . . 


C L Bacon, : . 


do 


do.... 


;'i6 


159 


2275 


1861 


C. A. Votey, 


SV Marsh, i. 


do 


do.... 


!: J 5 


26 


2249 


1862 


S. V. Marsh, 


E Marshall, j . 


do 


do.... 


.i x 5 


135 


2290 


1863 


C.A.Votey, 


J Serrine, j. 


do 


do.... 


.■IS 


84 


2321 


1864 


D. Corey, 


JBSmith, ! 


do 


do... 


.1*5 


39 


2205 


1865 


D. Corey, 


L Ransted, 1 . 


do 


do.... 


.i x 5 


n 


1957 


1866 


M. Gibson, 


F D Fenner, i . 


do 


do.. . 


• 16 


174 


2140 


1867 


J. N. Folwell, . . . 


J N Folwell, i . 


do 


do.... 


* ;i6 


2-'5 


22 55 


1868 


D. Corey, 


D Corey, ■ 


C W Burghardt. 


do.... 


":i6 


3& 


2133 


1869 


S. V. Marsh, 


No Circular, j . 


do 


do.... 


':i6 


121 


21&7 


1870 


C. J. Shrimpton,.. 


No Circular, j . 


do 


do.... 


• ; I 5 


95 


2128 


1871 


C. W. Burghardt, . 


C B Parsons, .... j . 


do 


S W Sackett 


,.i I 4 


bo 


1160 


1872 


J. S. Miller", 


No Circular, • . 


do 


do.... 


.'M 


40 


2143 


1873 


C. V.D.Cornell,.. 


W M Robinson, . . j . 


do 


do.... 


Ms 


7i 


2205 


1874 


W.Sharpe, 


No Circular, i . 


do 


do.... 


Ms 


36 


2149 


1875 


L. Halsey, 




do 


do.... 


Ms 


7P 


2192 


1876 


T. G.' Wrignt, 




do 


do.... 


■ \ X S 


68 


2214 


1877 


H. F. Titus, 




do 


J C Sackett, 


no 


71 


2131 


1878 


J.J.Phelps, 




do 


do.... 


ii6 


49 


2109 


1879 


G. E. Weeks, 




do 


do.... 


ii6 


90 


2162 



Statistics of the Churches. 

1821 — 1880. 



[Abbreviations : Y., Year of Minutes ; B., Baptized ; L., Received by Letter ; R., Res 
tored ; D., Dismissed ; E., Excluded ; Dd., Died ; T., Total.] 





BENNETTSBURG. 








COVERT. 












Y 


PASTOR 


B 


L 


R D 


E 


Del 


T 


PASTOR 


B 


L 


R 


D E 


Dd 


T 


.1822: 




! 
















1 


i J 7 


4 


1 


112 


1823! 
















6 


10 




i 3 


4 


2 


119 


1824; 














Aaron Abbott, 


i 1 


4 




j 1 


7 


1 


116 


i825;Jas. Reynolds, 


1 


; 2 


i 1 






83 


do 


1 


2 




i 4 


7 


1 


107 


1826; do 


1 


i 6 


; 1 






89 


do 




1 




; 4 


2 




116 


1827: do 


7 


1 6 


I 4 




3 


95 


do 


4 


3 




; 1 


2 




116 


1828; do 


1 


■ 1 


i 6 


i 4 




81 


J. C. Holt, 




5 


1 


' 8, 


1 


1 | 


112 


1829; do 




i 2 


; I 






82 


do 


1 


2 




5 


2 




108 


1830: do 


29 


1 3 




1 




109 


Richard Woolsey, 


19 


2 


1 


16; 


1 


1 j 


112 


1831: do 


8 


i 2 


; r l 4 




1 


115 


do 


84 


3 


6 


6j 






i99 


1832! do 




; 3 


; I \ 4 


3 




116 


do 


1 


2 




3: 


3: 


1 j 


173 


1833; do 


7 


! 3 


; r ; J 3 


1 




"3 


do 


10 


3 




r i| 


I; 


3 i 


173 


1834; do dec'd, 


, T ■ 


i 4 


; I i I ° 


2 




117 


do 




6 


1 


2 4i 


2; 


2 i 


152 


i8 35 :B. R. Swick, 




: 6 


1 |ii 


1 


2 


no 


do 




1 


1 


7: 


3; 




i45 


1836: do 


4 


i 8 


1*4 


4 




102 


do 


2 


4 


1 


6; 


4; 


4 j 


139 


1837: do 


1 


; 2 


i ;io 


i 7 


1 


87 


B. Clay, 


2 


1 




3J 


I] 




138 


1838! do 


37 


113 


iio 


1 3 




102 


A. Wadhams, 


7 


1 




T 5i 


5: 


4 : 


99 


i8 39 ;R. G.Lewis, 


11 


1 5 


'■ \ 4 


2 


2 


100 


do 


3i 


3 


2 


II; 


2; 


1 j 


124 


1840JH. J. Hall, 


' 3 


1 3 


■ i 9 


: 4 


1 


89 


do 




6 




7! 


I; 


1 j 


121 


1841JT. S. Sheardown, 


17 


i 7 


; : 7 


: 5 




100 


do 


4i 


9 


1 


2; 






170 


1842:6. Warren, 




i 9 


i i 3 


i 9 


2 


95 


C. Bateman, 


2 


6 


1 


9: 




3 : 


167 


1843: do 


21 


14 


: ; 5 


1 


1 


123 


D. W. Litchfield, 


3i 


5 


1 


3i 


2; 


4 i 


175 


1844J do 


: 3 


: 3 


: [18 


2 


2 


99 


do 


43 


2 


1 


12; 


3J 


1 ; 


225 


1845; J. B. Rogers, 




: 6 


1 4 


3 


2 


96 


do 


26 






7J 


2; 


I ! 


241 


1846: J. H. Morrison, 


4 


i 6 


IJI2 


i 4 


1 


90 


do 


4 






21; 


7; 




217 


1847; do 


1 


j 1 


i 5 


3 




88 C. Wardner, 




3 




J 5! 


1; 


I j 


203 


1848! do 


9 




i 6 


2 


2 


87 do 




2 




6; 


3i 


I j 


[ 93 


1849 iT.R. Clark, 




; 2 


: 5 


8 


1 


75 


do 


29 


7 




4i 


ij 


3 1 


225 


1850; do 




; I 


1; 




1 


76 


do 


1 6 




8; 


2; 


2 


220 


1851:0. W. Gibbs, 




i 5 


ij 5 


2 




75 


do 




4 




8; 


8| 


4 i 


204 


1852; do 




i 3 


! I 


1 


2 


74 


do 


3 


5 




5; 




2 i 


205 


1853; do 


10 


j 3 


j 1 


2 


4 


84 


do 


61 


3 


3 


17: 






200 


1854; do 


7 




1 4 






88 


E. Marshall, 




6 


1 


9i 


1; 




c 97 


1855: do 


16 


: 4 


i 4 






103 


do 


1 






5; 




3 ■ 


[89 


1856; do 


2 


1 


i 6 






IOI 


do 


1 


1 




5 ; . 




1 : 


85 


1857! do 


1 


j 1 


; 3 


5 


2 


y3 


do 


13 


2 




2 ; 




! 


98 


1858; do 


2C 


! 3 


: 2 


2 




113 


do 


2 


2 




3! 


Ij 


3 | 


99 


i859; do 






ii6 


4 


1 


92 


do 


1 


1 




8; 




1 .; 


9 1 


i86o|Wm. Dunbar, 


2 


: 4 


i 2 


4 




92 


do 


41 


1 


1 


3: 




4 I 


227 


1861: do 


IO 


1 2 


i 4 




2 


9« 1 do 


1 


2 




5; 


2; 


I jj 


22 


i86 2 jwm. Sharp, 




1 3 


i 3 




2 


96 


do 




1 






I; 




21 


1863; do 


3 


i 2 


j 2 


1 


4 


94 


S. V. Marsh, 


1 


5J 




3! 




5 \i 


19 


1864; do 






| I 


7 


1 


84 


do 


13 


3; 




3: 


27| 


3 JJ 


00 


1865; do 




i 1 


; 3 


1 




80 


do 




2] 




3i 


2; 


1 j 


96 
06 


1866: do 


9 


1 5 


1; 1 




2 


92 


do 


15 


ij 




4: 




2 js 


1867: do 


1 


: 1 


i 6 






2° 


Wm. Rees, 


3 






6; 


15 


1 j] 


97 


1868; do 


1 


i 1 


; 4 




1 


88 


do 


14 


3: 




4; 




I js 


12 


1869; do 


50 


! 7 


i 5 


4 


4 


136 


do 




3; 








2 jj 


10 


187°; do 


19 


: 3 


i 4 


2 




151 


do 








4J 




2 ;s 


04 


1871; do 




1 


2; 5 


3 


2 


148 


No Pastor. 




2; 




3; 




4 ! 3 


99 


1872; do 


1 


1 


i; 5 


1 


1 


142 


Geo. Hopkins, 




4; 








j2 


°3 


i873iT, F. Smith, 




2 


i 4 


2 


2 


*37 


do 












\1 


°3 
89 
84 
81 
72 


1874: do 


8 










143 


do 


15 


I; 




5: 


ij 


I ;'I 


1875: do 




2 






2 


*43 


No Pastor, 








4; 




I jl 


i8 7 6;F. Purvis, 
1877; do 


J 9 


2 
2 


; 5 


2 


1 


140 
161 


A. C. Mallory, 

do i 


8 


2] 

3; 




4; 
5! 


1 ; 

2j 


2 jl 


1878 A.D.Clark. 




2 


: 2 




3 


*57 


do 


3i 




5i 




1 ; X 


77 


1879 


do 


!5 


2 


2; 






176 


do | 




3i 




4: 






75 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



273 



ENFIELD. 


FARMER VILLAGE. 


Y 


PASTOR 


B 


L 


R 


D E 


Dd 


T 


PASTOR 


B 


L 


R 


D 


E 


Ddl T 


1822! 














35 


John Lewis, 


2 9 


6 




5 


1 


I 1I02 


1823^. Bloomer, 




3 




2 




1 


30 


do 




3 


1 


3 


3 


iioo 


1824: do 


r 


9 




7 


3 


2 


34 


do 




1 




x 4 




i 87 


1825! 


1 


2 








1 


36 


Edward Hodge, 








3 


5 


2 j 77 


1826: 












1 


34 


do 




ij 




4 


2 


i 7 2 


1827! 




2 




2 


2 


1 


32 


S. W. Ford, 




1, 




1 


2 


i 70 


i828;J. P. Woodworth, 




11 




2 


2 


1 


32 


do 












: 70 


1829; do 


2 


*3 




1 


6 


1 


47 


do 














1830; do 


1 


8 


1 


3 


1 




53 


do 












; 30 


183*! do 


8 


3 






2 




62 


do 


8 










; 4° 


1832: do 


8 


2 


1 




3 




70 


N. N. Whiting, 






1 


3 




2 i 3* 


1833; do 




3 




3 






73 


H. B. Dodge, 


23 


1 


2 


1 




1 : 60 


i?34: do 


i 


5 




5 




1 


78 


U. B. Miller, 


14 


2 


1 






1 i 76 


1835; do 


6 


11 




6 


Jr 


-2 


92 


do 


7 


7 


1; 




1 


• 86 


i8 3 6ij. F. Stark, 




2 


2 


4 


8 




79 


B. S. Clay, 


8 


8 


1 


4 


i 


iioo 


1837; do 




2 




7 


r 5 




44 


R. Woolsey, 




3 




8 


4 


1 i 94 


1838 jNo Pastor. 


2 


4 




4 






43 


do 


16. 7 


2 


6 




1 ;no 


1839: do 




1 




5 


1 




38 


do 


6 6 


1 


3 


2 


1 J117 


1S40: J. Leach, 


2 






4 


1 




35 


do 


1 4 




1 


4 


2 ; 80 


i84i;No Pastor. 




3 




3 




1 


34 


P. Goo, 


30 




4 


5 




• 100 


i8 4 2;J. J. Fuller, 




4 




3 


1 


1 


48 


do 




9 




9 




2 ;I09 


1843; A. Lawton, 


T 3 


!3 


4 


6 




1 


7 1 


do 




4 


1 


6 


2 


|io6 


1844! do 


2 


2 


1 


3 




1 


7i 


do 


6 


6 




3 


6 


JI03 


i845ij. F. Stark, 




7 


1 


8 


1 


1 


70 
58 


A. J. Ellis, 




5, 


2 


5. 


1 


1104 


1846; do 


1 


2 




10 


2 


2 


W. McCarthy, 




4] 


1 


2 




J107 


18471c. Nelson, 




2 




4 


1 


2 


53 


do 


7 


4i 1 


2 




5 i"4 


1848: do 


2 


2 




2 






55 


do 




2! 






2 ill-} 


18491 do 


2 


4 




7 




1 


5 1 


do 


12 


IJ i 


1 


1 




3 1*34 


1850: do 




2 




2 




1 


5° 


do 




* 




5 




:i3° 


1851; John Grav, 








4 


4 


1 


4i 


do 


1 










2 1129 


i8 5 2;S. S. Tucker, 




5 




3 




1 


42 


J. W. Wiggins, 


1 


3 




5 




1 1127 


1853 ;W. Everett, 




3 




8 




2 


35 


do 


77 


l 3 


2 


12 




:i8 7 


1854,'No Report. 
















do 


10 


7 




18 


3 


3 i l6 3 


1855 ;Wm. Everett, 








4 






32 


do 


1 


2 




3 




1162 


1856: do 




1 








1 


3 2 


do 




7 




5 


1 


I163 


1857 :No Pastor. 


2 






4 


6 




27 


do 




4 




7 




3 1*57 


1858: do 




1 




4 






24 


E Weaver, 


2 






7 
8 




2 ;I5I 


i859;M. E. Arkills, 


2 


3 


2 


1 






3° 


do 


63 


4 




20 


J189 


i860; do 


8 


2 








1 


39 


J. B. Smith, 




5 




5 


1 


J188 


1861; do 












1 


3« 


do 


6 


4 




2 


1 


|i94 


1862; do 








3 






35 


do 


11 


4 




7 
6 




2 ;2CO 


i863:No Report. 












2 


30 


do 


15 


6 






5 :2i2 


1864: do 












1 


S 2 


ko 


3 


3 




2 




3 j«3 


1865: do 
















do 




2 




3 
6 


2 


1 ;i 9 6 


1866 |D. C. Marshall, 














27 
46 
45 
44 
46 


M. Gibson, 


1 


5 




16 


1 i*93 


1867! do 

1868; do 
T 86 9 ; do 


17 


3 
5 




2 
5 






M. W. Homes, 
do 
do 


4 

50 


8 
2 




12 
2 
6 

16 
6 




|i8s 

2 '189 

6 |233 


I 87o;S. A. Beman, 




2 




3 






C. B. Parsons, 


8 


6 




3 


5 :2« 


1 87iiNo Pastor. 








1 




2 


4i 
52 


do 








2 I2II 


J 872:E. Perry, 


11 


1 


_ 


1 




1 


do 


2 


2 




6 




3 ;2o6 
:i 3 8 


J 873i do 


12 i 


5 




1 




2 


64 


do 




3! 




2 


68 


X 874;F. Dusenberry, 
I 875i do 




4 

2 






1 


1 


67 


Lewis Halsey, 
do 


1 
1 


9: 

4; 


3j 
2; 


4 
3 




2 ;I45 
2 |i47 


J 876; do 




2 




1 


1 


1 


60 


do 


6 


2 




4 




3 1148 


2 877iA. D. Abbott, 




4 




3 


3 




58 


do 


6 


7: 




3 




3 ji55 


I 878: do 




5 


5 








68 


do 


1 


2 








3 ii54 


1879; 






1 




3 






75 


do 


10 


2! 

i 




2 




2 1163 



274 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



ITHACA 


■ 


NORTH 


HECTOR. 


Y PASTOR j.B 


L R D E Dd 


T 


PASTOR 


B 


L 


R 


D E 


Dd 


T 


1826! 








John Lewis, 
Jacob Fisk, 












! 50 

2 i 71 


1827: ; 








7 


'5! 








i828;John Sears, j 


7 j 8i 


2: 2] 3 


"5 


do 


1 


6] 




r 9 


1 


: 48 


1829! do 


6\ 4: 


4: ii 1 


119 


U. B. Miller, 


11 


3i 


ii 


5 


4 


1 | 53 
: 70 


1830N. N. Whiting, 




3; 2: 1 


114 


do 


15 


6; 




4 




1831! do ] 4 


6; 7: I 


«i 3i 


i57 


do 


10 




2: 


2 


4 


i 76 


18321J. R. Burdick, j 


6j 9! 1 

6i 8: 


12; : 


161 


do 


5; 


4: 




7 


2 


1 : 75 


18331c. Philleo, 


*4: 3: 


158 


do 




4: 




5 




2 i 73 


1834 No Pastor. 


2: 8| 


"i 4: 


x 53 


Chas. DeLand, 




5 




4 


4 


1 i 68 


1835 C. G- Carpenter, i 1 2 


xjisi 1 


40! 3: 2 


237 


do 


5i 


6: 




4 




1 ': 74 


1836: do 


1J16J 


12:10! 2 


230 


do 


I 


6: 




5 


5 


: 71 


18371 do 


ij 2: 


8J ij 2 


222 


do 


I 


ii 




11 


3 


1 i 58 


1838:8. S. Parr; 


3;io; 


43: 4: 3 


185 


do 


51: 


n' 


ij 


5 


1 


3 |"4 


1839! do J 6 


8jioi 


7J18J 1 


237 


do 


171 


6; 


ii 


7 


3 


3 i I2 5 


i84o:D. Bellamy, i 1 


5| T 3: 


T 5: 7| 5 


225 


do 


T\ 


II 




7 


6 


iI20 


18411J. D. Cole, j 7 


1:24; 


22:11: 4 


283 


do 


3i 


I 


jj 


3 




3 |"8 


1842! do 


2:13: 2 


T 3: 3i 2 


258 


do 


21] 




2: 


7 


4 


3 : I2 7 


1843JH. L. Grose, i 1 


8; 7i 6 


22; 4i I 


199 


do 


3° 


II] 


i; 


3 


2 


1 : l6 3 


i844|A. Jackson, 


jio| 


7i 1J i 


173 


do 


nj 


I; 


Ij 


4 ; 


5 


2 -165 


1845! do 


2I15: 


T 9: 2: 3 


166; 


do 




8j 




8: 




i*49 


1846; do ; 4 


ii 8; 2 


14; I! 2 


200 


do 




i; 




8 


2 


• 140 


1847: do 


4:16: 


3°: 5: 2 


183 


Wm. Cormac, 


*: 




3! 




1 


2 U47 


1848 i do : 1 


2: 5: 1 


r 9i 3; 


157 


B. Warren, 




5| 


t\ 


6 


3 


2 ii43 


1849 jF. Glanville, : 


ii 7i 2 


ioi ; I 


178 


do 




2; 


t\ 


3 


10 


1 :io8 


18501W. Cormac, 


I'i 4! 


ioj ii 4 


209 


L. Wade, 




ii 




9 


1 


j 99 


1851' do j e 


2;28! 


7: 3: x 


250 


I. Easterbrooks, 








5 


6 


2 ; 9 1 


1852; do 


i 8i 


ni i 3 


244 


do 




2; 




3 


3 


i 85 


i853;J. M. Harris, • 3 


9i 2 4i 2 


14: ! I 


294 


do 


37 


3| 


I; 






2 :"8 


18541 do i 1 


0: 7! 


18: 3: 3 


246 


No Pastor. 




2; 




5 


2 


J114 


1855'! do 


9:12: 


7i 3! 3 


254 


J. Grant, 


1 


3| 




3 




1 :ii4 


1856; do 


2:i5i 


IO! 6; 3 


252 


P. Griffis, 




4i 


Ij 


2 


2 


3 I 112 


1857; do : ] 


9:16; 1 


TO; 2| 2 


274 


do 


8 


4| 




1 


2 


1 :i2o 


1858! do i ; 


2;IO; 


II; : I 


328 


No Pastor. 


1 






6 


6 


1 :io6 


1859! do j 5 


7i 7j 


7: I! 2 


352 


S. V. Marsh, 


10 


4 


I; 


3 




in8 


i860: do 


5| 4; 


17: i| 5 


338 


dd 


34 


5: 


5: 


5 


1 


2 ji54 


1861: do 


: 6: 


5: 21 2 


335 


do 


1 


3 






2 


2 :i54 


1862! do 


ij^l 


7: i 2 


340 


do 


3° 




4j 


7 


3 


1 ;i77 


1863: do i 1 


|.i;iSi 2 


6; 2| 2 


338 


J. Halliday, 




3 1 




6 


2 


1 :i7i 


1864 : do 


6: 6| 


i 7i 9 


37i 


do 








1 3 


4 


4 : J 43 


1865 J. N. Folwefl, | 


i| 6 ; 


13: ii 


227 


H. S. Card, 




2 




7 


1 


3 i J 34 


1866: do | 5 


-3: 10 : 2 


22; 6: 1 


260 


do 




1 


t i 


2 


2 


2 :i33 


1867: do i - 


j2| 7: 2 


ioj 2; 1 


299 


do 










1 


3 '129 


1868 i do 


i 9\ 


14; ii 6 


287 


do 


12 


4 


ii 


8 


4 


1 ii33 


18691s. H. Adams, j 


4 i 5! 1 


10: ii 2 


285 


D. Corey, 


12 


7 








1 ii5o 


i87o:C. J. Shrimpton, 1 


4:13! 2 


4J 3: 5 


293 


do 


12 


4 




1 


1 


2 : l82 

3 '' l8z 


1871: do 


2ii5i 


4°: i 5 


266 


do 


4 


1 




1 


1 


1872J do : 


7125: 1 


I 3:44: 2 


244 


No Pastor. 




2 




4 


6 


2 1*7* 


1873: do 


2! 7: 


2; 3: 2 


246 


C. Wardner, 


1 


2 




1 


2 


2 -170 


I S74:C. A. Harris, 


' si 


in: 2 


238 


do 








5 




:ibS 


1875: do i ; 


57:26; 8 


3! 2; '3 


301 


do 


j 7 


1 




3 


8 


:i 5 6 


i8 7 6;H. F. Titus, j 


si 9: 


7: 1 5 


3" 


do 


1 1 






4 


1 


2 : I 5 2 


1877; do i 


tOJ20i 


17:28:10 


278 


W. N. Tower, 


: I 4 


J 3 




5 


10 


2 : l0 3 
2 : l6 3 

3 i x6i! 


1878: do 


9il4: 


2J13: 3 


283 


: do 


i 2 


7 




1 


6 


1879J do 


3: 8: 


8:14; 2 


268 


do 


! I 


8 


1 


3 


3 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



275 



MECKLENBURG. 
1 


NEWFIELD. 


Y 


PASTOR 


B L 


R 


D E 


Dd 


T 


PASTOR 


b|l 


R 


D 


j? 


Dd T 


1822: 


1 


1 






3 


1 | 


90 
















49 


i823:Jon. Sturdevant, 
i824:BrazilIa King, 


1 4 


3 


3 


3 






97 




! 2 


I 




3 


2 




47 


i 1 






4 


3 


2 


89 




! 2 


I 




4 






44 


1825: do . 










3 




83 




j I 


6 


1 


1 


2 




48 


1826: do dec'd. 




3 




1 


3 




82 






1 




3 


6 


1 


40 


1827! 














82 






3 


1 


5 




2 


35 


1828; 


|io 


7 


3 


12 


5 


4 


81 




: 3 






1 


1 




38 


i82o;Seth Smalley, 




1 






2. 


80 
















38 


1830: S. Wise, 


6 


3 


3 


3 


1 


1 


87 




15 


6 




4 






35 


1831; doi 


i 2 


7 




10 


2 




84 




i 5 


1 


1 




2 




40 


1832 John Sears, 


iio 


4 


1 


11 




1 


88 
















4 1 


1833 i do 


i 6 


12 




8 


3 




92 




5 










1 


45 


i834: 


j 8 


6 




6 




1 


93 


Asa Cauldwell, 


i 3 


5 










47 


1835! 


i 2 






12 


1 




82 




: 4 


21 




5 




1 


&3 


1836; J. Briggs, 


I 7 


15 


1 


5 


1 


2 


90 


Allen R. Beach, 






1 


12 




1 


46 


18371 E. Kimball, 


• 2 


7 




6 






9 1 


do 








3 


1 


1 


52 


1838: 




6 




x 3 


2 


1 


80 






3 




4 




1 


35 


i839iB. R. Swick, 


i 7 6 


24 




7 






x 73 




1 1 




1 


4 


1 


1 


28 


184°! do 


129 


16 


1 


4 


1 


2 


211 


J. Leach, 


•10 


x 4 




4 






5i 


184*: do 


;34 


8 




8 




1 


239 


do 


i 1 






5 


2 


1 


42 


i842;J. Sears,-' 
i843iP.Shed, 




6 




15 


1 


5 


168 


No Pastor. 


i 7 


i 4 




3 


2 




40 


18 


10 




16 


9 


3 


180 


John Sears, 


: J 3 


i 5 


1 


4 




1 


70 


1844: do 


J2I 


6 




6 


1 


1 1 


198 


do 




7 




3 


2 


1 


60 


1845 jH. West, 


| I 


6 




12 


4 




189 


F. Dusenberry, 




2 


. 4 


5 


1 


52 


1846; d o> 




4 




11 


4 


5 i 


J 73 


do 


: 2 


2 




4 


-3 


2 


48 


1847 i do 




5 


1 


4 


2 




183 


E. Kimball, 


: j 


i 




7 




1 


42 


1848: do " 


;20 




2 


5 


2 


2 ] 


196 


do 


i 4 








4 


2 


40 


i849i do 




| 3 




7 


5 


3 


J 74 


D. W. Root, 








3 




1 


34 


1850; do 








7 




4 


163 






6 




4 


1 


1 


36 


l8 5i: do 


J56 


| 6 




8 




2 


215 


A. Wade, Jr., 


i 2 


2 


2 


4 




1 


32 


i8 5 2i W . Wilkins, 




7 




3 


3 




216 


do 


i5 2 


3 


1 


3 






&5 


X |S3: do 


! 1 


3 




3 






211 


J. Gray, » 








6 




5 


49 


"S^B. C. Townsend, 


1 3 


6 




9 


2 


1 


208 


. do 


|i8 


6 




2 




1 


93 


Z l 5 % do 


1 I 


1 


1 


15 


7 


4 


*55 


do 




3 








1 


80 


l8 5 6 ;No Pastor. 








5 


1 


1 


148 


do 


in 


1 






3 




82 


l8 57|D. T. Lockwood, 




5 




9 




1 


137 


F. Dusenberry, 




4 


1 


7 




2 


97 


I |S 8 : do 


i 7 


3 




10 




4 


130 


do 


In 


4 




4 


J 3 


2 


93 


'gP-^y, 


; 2 8 


12 




1 


2 


2 


J 59 


do 


: 7 


5 




5 






95 


i33 


1 


1 


5 


2 


2 


186 


do 


18 


5 




5 


1 




i x 3 


If! do 


: 2 


1 




2 




I j 


186 


A. B. Woodworth, 




5 




6 






bo 


If do 


j 7 


5 






1 


2 


196 


do 








2 


J 7 


1 


60 


1« 3 do 




3 




4 


3 


8 i 


184 


do 




6 




4 






62 


^64: do 


•12 


3 




4 




6 | 


189 


do 


4 


6 




6 




2 


53 


I |°5iD. C. Marshall, 


| I 


1 




3 






188 


A. Mintonye, 




2 




5 


2 




44 


l8 j°i do 




6 




7 




2 ! 


184 








1 


5 






3 2 


Z l%> do 


J49 


9 




2 


2 


2 i 


209 


M. M. Evarts, 




2 




4 






30 


l8 J8jP. D. Root, 


! 2 


2 




3 


2 




235 


No Report. 
















i86 9 ; H E F d 








6 


3 


3 ; 


J 75 


D. C. Marshall, 




1 


! 


3 






3 1 


^70: do ' 




1 


1 




3 




171 


No Report.- 
















1871: 

1872 'A- B. Chase, 
1873: do 
1874: do 


i I 


1 
3 




1 




3 1 
2 : 


i93 
190 


No Report. 








2 






27 


i 6 


1 




4 




5 I 


188 


Wm. Sharpe, 


7 


7 


2 








4 1 




5 


1 


4 




2 ; 


187 


do 


3 


3 


2 


1 




2 


45 


1875: A. D. Abbott, 




2 




8 




4 i 


177 


do 




2 










47 


1876: do 


7 


3 


1 


1 






189 


do 


x 


2 










48 


i877;No Pastor. 




1 




10 




4 i 


177 


Taylor Crum, 




1 




2 


5 


3 


43 


1878 ;N. C. Brundage, 




3 




3 


3 2 


3 i 


142 


No Pastor. 




2 




5 






29 


1879 


do 


5 


1 




1 


1 


1 i 


145 


C. P. Melleney, 




1 




2 






28 



276 



Seneca Baptist Association. 



ROMULUS. 








TRUMANSBURG. 


Y 


PASTOR j 


B 


L 


R D 


E 


Dd 


T 


PASTOR 


B 


L 


R D E 


Dd 


T 


1822; 










z 


50 


O C Corns to ck, 




7 


| 


3 2 




81 


18*3! John Cooper, 


3 


2 


! 1 






54 


do | 


2 


9 


i 


^ 




88 


1824; i 






4: 






58 


do • 


3 


7 


i 


3; 




92 


1825; : 


1 


3 


1 j 






56 


do ! 


5 


4 




: 1 


2 


92 


1826J. C. Holt, 


2 


4 


i 2 


3; 


1 


.46 


do i 


5 


4 




; j 


1 


99 


T827; 


9 


6 


I 3 




2 


56 


do i 


7 


9 


| 


;: 2 




108 


1828 iW W Brown, 




1 


1 6 




1 


45 


Aaron Abbott, i 


3 


6 


ii 


j; 1 




106 


1829: do 


1 


8 


; 1 




2 


5 1 


do i 


5 


8 


! 


j| 2 


2 


112 


1830: do 




4 


3; ai 




1 


55 


do j 


61 


34 


i 


3: 3 


5 


i 9 6 


1831; do 


47 


8 


i 2 






"3 


do | 


92 


11 


1 j 1 


5| 2 


2 


2S2 


1832; 


27 


8 


i 3 




2 


133 


do i 


15 


16, 


|i 


r\ 3 


3 : 


299 


l8 33| 


9 


3 


i 5 






136 


do i 


43 


10 


|i 


5: 3 


2 : 


332 


i834iNathaniel Otis, 




3 


i 4 






132 


Mo Pastor, i 




11 


1I3 


*! 7 


2 | 


297 


1835: do 








3 I 


1 


113 


Thos. Dowling . i 


*9 


13 


1:1 


>l 3: 


1 j 


3 IJ 


1836; do 


3 


3 


: 2 


4; 


3 


109 


P yhedd, 




9 1 


1:3 


J ! 7. 


1 : 


2S 4 


1837I do ! 




3 


1 4 


2! 


1 


104 


do j 




2 


2: 


3: zi 


2 ; 


220 


18381c G Carpenter, 


78 


8 


ixs 


ii 




*73 


do ; 


'7 


15 


ii 


;i 9: 


5 : 


222 


1839; do 




7 


i 7 


3: 


4 


166 


W E Locke, i 


95 


10' 


iii 


M 31 


2 : 


33 1 -' 


1840: do 


2 


4 


j 5 


2; 


6 


T 57 


do i 


3 


1 


i: 1 


7 i Sj 


2 : 


S 1 ^ 


1841: 


2 


1 


i 4 






x 55 


do i 


52 


4 


: 2 . 






355 


1842! 


3 




:i2 


ij 


1 


M5 


do i 


13 


4i 


;2C 


>i ri 


1 : 


347 


1843 ;D Wright, 


23 


4 


i x 4 




3 


'53 


Howel Smith, i 


2 3 


i3i 


ik 


i 5: 


7 j 


353 


1844I do 




6 


1*5 


3J 


5 


*37 


do i 


3° 


6: 


3ji< 


} ! 4 : 




375 


1845 ! do 


2 


5 


i 8 


3j 


3 


*39 


do : 


5 


8 






4 1 


367 


1846: do 




3 


I 6 


2 


3 


123 


do i 




7: 


■ IC 


'• 2: 


4 i 


349 


1847O Sperry, 




4 


■ 7 




3 


"5 


do 


1 


3: 


■ IC 


>• 2: 


6 : 


2S3 


1848: do 




3 


I 6 




2 


"3 


Wm Cormac, i 




6: 


ji 


'• r ! 


4 ! 


267 


1849! I Fargo, Jr, 


7 


2 


|io 




2 


107 


do ; 


37 


6 


: c 


>• 1 


4 : 


a! 


1850; do 


1 


3 


i ! 


I 


1 


109 


C L Bacon, ? 


1 


4 


iic 


>i 1 : 


4 i 


1851; do 


3 


6 




I 


2 


116 


do i 


5*| 


9; 


- : ( 


>; 2; 


8 ; 


333 


1852; do 


7 ^ 


3 


2j 6 




2 


187 


do : 


9' 


4; 


: t 


j: 2; 


4 : 


339 


1853: do 


1 


• 9 




2 


178 


do 


45 


12; 


i 




5 i 


384 


1854: do 






7j 




3 


171 


do 






!u 


4 


4 • 


365 


i855:J S Webber, 


1 


2 


i 9 




4 


162 


do : 




7\ 


2i 2 




5 ! 


362 


18561 do 


1 




: i 6 


5 


1 


J 54 


do j 


53 


4: 


21 ' 


?: 2 


8 i 


406 


1857! do 


2 


2 


i 4 




1 


J 43 


do i 


2 


2 


i 


| i ; 


2 i 


399 


i8s8;P Irving, 


3 


4 


i i 6 


2 




142 


do i 


9 


3 ; 


ii 


7: 2 


2 I 


39° 


1859: do 


48 


5 


1] 1 


1 


5 


189 


do i 


55 


7 


7; 


7 i 4' 


3 ' 


44 6 


i86o;M W Homes, 




3 


1 i 2 




3 


x 74 


do i 


4 


8 




5: i, 


6 | 


449 


i86ii do 






! i 8 




2 


i'73 


do 


6 


9 


:i 


3| 


3 i 


45 J 


1862! do 


3 1 


2 


! i 4 


1 


4 


199 


do 




3 


: 


H 3' 


4 i 


441 


1863: do 




2 


i | I 4 






187 


do 


24 


5 


j 


3: 2 


7 


45? 


1864: do 


1 


4 


• 1 5 




4 


185 


I Child, 




7 


• 1 


5] 13 




427 


1865: do 






: 1: 2 


4 


4 


176 


do 


2 


4 




;i6 


6 


340 


1866! do 


47 




: x l 7 




4 


212 


D Corey, 


11 


8 


ii 


^i x 


1 


354 


i867iD D Owen, 


x i 5 


j ;I2 


5 


1 


182 


do 


104 


21 


1:1 


*i 8 


8 


453 


1868; do 


! 4 




2 


2 


171 


do 


4 


6 


ii 


Si 6 


3 


43 b 


1869! do 


j 


: J 4 




2 


165 


G A Starkweather, 




4 


ij 1 


7: ' 


4 


420 


1870: do 




: i 7 


25 


2 


136 


do 


16 


3 


jx 


3; 


3 


402 


1871! do 


10 




i i 5 




2 


139 


do 


6 


10 


I; 


8j 


6 


209 


1872^0 Pastor, 






■ i 2 




3 


134 


do 




2 




5: 


3 


403 


i8 73 ;GTMcNair, 


2 






1 1 


2 


138 


do 


12 






5; 


8 


402 


1874! do 






i J ! 3 




3 


, 134 


E S Gallup, 


4 




•I 


2! 2 


5 


387 


i875:Louis J Gross, 




1 ] 


i i 5 


1 3 


3 


; I2 3 


do 


3 


: 4 


2| 


3i 


5 


386 


1876: do 


6 


! ] 


i i 1 




1 


I 128 


No Pastor, 


1 






4: 1 


7 


376 


1877! do 


7 






i 5 




i 130 


J J Phelps, 




! 2 




3i8i 


7 


287 


1878: do 


6 


; 5 






1 


i 137 


do 


5 


1 5 




4: 


, 5 


288 


1879 


i do 

1 




; ] 


: I 


| 1 


! 3 


i '34 


do . 


: 44 


j 9 


i *! 


4i 


: 4 


337 



OVID— SCOTT'S CORNERS. 


OVID VILLAGE 


. 


Y 


PASTOR B 


L 


RD 


EDd 


T 


Y 


PASTOR 


B 


1 

L l 


R DEiDd T 


1828! 


Edward Hodge, 




i : "i 




18 '1859 


C A Votey, sup, ■ 


rj 6: 


i i i i 24 


1829: 


do > 


j: 2 


i 2J 




21 


1 86 .. 


do 


i 3J 


: i ii : 25 


1830! 


do ; 


l! 0: 


i • 




32 i 


1S61 


do 


: 3: 


: 4: : ■ 26 


1831; 




5; 5: 


1 2 ! z 




42 j 


1S62 


do !- 


S! 2 : 


III i 6 4 


1832; 


do I 1 


5; 2j 


i 2: ; 




54 


1863 


L Ransted, 


: 7 : 


: 6; 2: 1 : 62 


1833: 


do i x 


3j 2! 


i 3; ; 




65 


1G64 


do i 


i 1 : 


i x! xj x i 60 


1834: 




»! 3J 


i 3i i 


I ; 


67 


iS6=; 


D Corey, 


i 1 : 


1 2: ij i 58 


1835! 


do 


Sj 8; 


i 4i i 


2 : 


76 


1866 


G Gates, 


i; 3J 


i 2; 2; 3 ; 54 


1836: 


W G Wisner, | 


l\ A 


; 1 j • 


1 i 


77 


1867 


No Pastor, 




j 8| 2| ; 44 


1837! 




7\ ii 


i 6j ; 


1 ■ 


80 


1868 


No Report, 






1838: 


do |3 


}\ 4: 


;i7: i 




IOI 


1869 


P Goo, i 


i 4: 


i : i i 25 


1839! 


do i 


5; 2J 


i 7J : 




102 


1870 


do 


j 9: 


1:1 : 34 


1840; 


L Ransted, 


; 6i 


jii! i" 


2 ; 


97 


1871 


No Report, 






1841! 
1842: 


HB Fuller, |3 

do : 


3! 6; 
I 8 


i 6; ij 

i 7: i 


! i 


127 

128 


1872 

1873 


do 
do 


: 2 i 


1 : 22 
I 4: : i 20 


i8 4 3i 


do I 1 


si 6; 


i 6i 1; 


I ! 


136 


1874 


J E McLallen, 


■ 2 i 


: 2I10] , i 22 


1844: 


B Warren, i 


1 4i 


j 8! j 


I 1 


r 3 o 


1875 


No Pastor, 




i 3: i | 19 


1845: 




3: 8: 


!I2; 6: 


2 i 


121 


1S76 


do 




j 2; : 29 


1846: 


do I 1 


7! 8| 


1 71 1 




139 


^77 


do 




i 2; 6; I i 23 


1847 \ 


J Ketchum, 
D Taylor, 

do ; 

do i 


i 3! 


i 6; 2: 


2 1 


132 


1878 


L B Albert, i 




III i 2 3 


1848; 
1849; 


I | 3 

i; 6 


! 5| 2; 

|i8; i; 


5 j 


124 
in 


1879 


do i 


i. 1 1 ! 


: ' : 3 '■ 24 








1850! 
1851! 
1852; 
1853' 




2; 3! 2J 


I j 


107 


WATKINS. 




do 
O Montague, i 
do i 


i 3 
2 i 5 

51 4 


1 2 ; 2 
0' 7 i ' 


1 : 
6 j 


IOI 

105 


1850: T S Sheardown, i 
1851: do 


i 7: 


| i : i 3° 

i i 1': i 5 l 


1854 
1855 


C A Votey, 'f 
do 


I; 2 


8i i 4 
! 3! 3 


2 i 
1 i 


119 
122 


1852: do ; 2: 5; 

i 8 53;A Wilkins, ■ ;2oii4| 


i 5i 1] i 52 
| 5: ii 1 | 78 


1856 


do i 
do i 


5: 


; 5j 2 




120 


1854! 


i 4i 


115] 2j 1 ! 62 


1857 


i 1 


i 4i x 


I ! 


116 


1855 |H West, ' i 


: SJ 


i 2: 3I ! 62 


1858 


do 1 


5| 5 


x \ 3; 3 




121 


i856:W McCarthy, j 


3: 9; 


i 6: i| | 68 


1859 


do : 4 
do 


8: 1 


■20! 


3 1 


146 


i857:LLowe, 1 




i 4| 8; 2 ■ 50 


i860 


! 2 


1 2; 3 




141 


i8 5 8!h West, - i 


• 2: 


x | Si x j i 47 


1861 


do : 




i 9: » 


3 


128 


l8 59! do 1 


5 5 : 8j 


5| 7: 6; ins 


1862 


do ! 2 


Oj 4 


i 4: 


2 i 


149 


i860: do 


6: 6] 


■14: 7! 2 1105 


1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 

1873 
1874 
1075 
1876 
1877 
1878 


F D Fenner, 

do 

do ': 

do 
M M Evarts, 

do . i 
N B H Gardner, • 

do \4 
A W Mettler, i 


i 2 

8 3 
v \ 4 

2; 3 

21 2 
i 3 


i 5: 2 
! 6; 1 
| ij- 1 

: 4: 
i 4! 2 
: 5; 
i I! 5 
i 9i 
j 6; 2 


6 

■ 1 
4 

1 

5 
2 
2 


S3 

129 
127 
118 

IG 9 

i43 


i86ijHSCard, i 

1862: do 

1863: do 

1864; do j 

i865;ER yce, : 

1866: v 

18^7: do i 

186-iHEFord, 
1869: 


i s| 

i 7: 
i 7i 
ii6i 

i 8; 

19:14! 

1 3J 

2 : 4i 


i 4| II , i 98 

' 21 9: ! 90 

\ \ 3! 5 i 88 
: 3: 4: : 97 
; 6| 2J 1 i q 6 
: 9j ; 2 jus 
i; 4: i 4 :jio 

I |i7: ! I 94 
jii; ij 1 ; 88 


do 
F D Fenner", 

do 

do i 

do 
E Perry, 


i 4 
3; 2 

': 2 


i 1 6: 
i i 8: 
i I I : 

1 : 6 : - 5 

• i 6; 2 


I 3 
! 2 

j 4 
i 3 
: 1 


142 
136 

129 
129 
129 

109 
100 


if7°':CW 7 Brooks, 
i87i; do 
1872; do 
i873: do 
1674: do 
1875 ST G Wright, 
*876: do 


lb'; 8! 

S| 9i 

7: 6; 
12: 5 ' 

*; 9 

9: 7 


i 6i 7| 2 i 99 

i 3; : J :" 2 

J ! 3; 2 i 3 in 3 

i 6: *i 2 ; I20 

ij 3: 5i 5 iii.8 

2 : 4: 2 ! |i3° 


1879 


JA J Brown, 






; 102 


i3: 3 
Si 9 


x j 7i 2 i x !i37 
1 \ 5i r i 2 J144 


WATER 


LOO 




io7^; No Pastor, 
l87 ^'iG E Weeks, 


in 


: 8; 3; 2 '.129 
i 6; 2| I I125 


i865iW HSteegar, j 


9! 8 


: : 2: j 


i 57 


CAROLINE. 




1866 


do ; 
do 


61 s 


! i 6; 2; 3 

1 3i : i 2 


:ii5 
:i22 








1867 


1873^0 Pastor. 




i i i i 93 


1868 


|S V Marsh, i 


2: 4 


i i 7i i 2 


in6 


i8 74 !A P Merrill, 


: 3 


i i i 2 i 94 


1869 


do 


; c 


i i 3:i6| 


i 9 1 


i875:AB Chase, 


i 3 


! 2! j 1 i 94 


187c 




8: « 


1 I ; I °: 4; J 


i 9° 


1876: 


18: 3 


; 5: J 2 iI08 


1871 


|W M Robinson, 


ij : 


i i i i 2 


1 9 °, 


i877iGeo. Brown, 


2: 3 


i 3i 10 : 3 i 9 6 


1872 


i do 


2JIC 


>; 2! 2! 8: 1 


! 9 f - 


187b! do 


i&i 4 


i ; 2: 1 J113 


187; 

187^ 
i8 7 j 


i do 

' : F P Sutherland, i 

i do i 


17: 


1 ! x ! x i 4 


jiog 
:ii8 

| 8g 


J1879: do 


i\ 1 


! i i 1 i n 4 


I; ( 
IOJ 


>i J i 3! 5i 5 

5i ; 7j 2: 3 


TABERNAGL 


E, 1TI- 


IACA. 


i8 7 ( 
187- 


)\C A Harris, 
?!FMBeebe, 


6] 


i i 3i 4: 3 

5; 4JI2I 8; 


i 78 
: 86 


1 






1 1877'; F Dusenberry, 




i S i ! 49 


187 


5: No Pastor. 




li ! 2 i 


! 88 1878; do 


'; ; 1 


. i I! i I • 48 


187 


)\ do i 










i 88 


187 


9; do 


'.*: 




i Ii I! Ii I 1 58 



Index. 



[The index does not include names of church officers, of soldiers, nor all names in "churches 
dismissed."] 



Abbott, Aaron 37, 40, 95, 106, 119, 
130, 131, 167, 174, 190-2, 217, 
228-30, 268-9. 

Abbott, A. D. 79, 80, 123-4, x 57. 

232-5. 
Abbott, G. S. 248. 
Abbott, Jas. R. 230. 
Abstract of Minutes, 31. 
Adams, S. H. 150. 232. 
Adsit, S. 64, 75. 
Agard, Z. 21. 

Albert, L. B. 80, 179-80, 233-5. 
Allen, Fayette 39, 40, 137-8-9. 
Almy, Ira 134-9. 
Almy, Samuel 93. 
Anderson, Pres. M. B. 231, 255. 
Anti-Masonic Crusade, 25. 
Anti-Mission Spirit, 43, 96, 114. 
Arbon, Wm. 230. 
Arkills, M. 71, 124, 233. 
Association, The 18 
Atkins, J. 261. 
Atwater, D. 148. 
Ayers, Lieut O. C. 267. 
Ayers, D. H. 268. 
Backus, J. S., D. D. 75, 157, 241. 
Bacon, C. L. 57, 58, 60, 62, 65, 68, 

69, 70, 98, 156, 193, 194, 220-21, 

233, 244, 253, 265. 
Bacon, J. S. 41. 
Bailey, A. 161. 
Bailey, Pres. Silas 248, 256. 
Bainbridge, Cyrus 46. 
Bainbridge, Mrs. C. 234. 
Bainbridge, M. 89. 
Bainbridge, P. 21, 181. 
Bainbridge, W. F. 185. 
Bainbridge, S. M. 71, 183, 234, 

238, 250. 
Baker, Nathan 201. 
Baker, N. 20. 

Balcom, B. F. 66-8, 99, 156, 233. 
Balcom, Geo. 64-6-7-8, 74-5, 136, 

204-5, 233- 
Baldwin, H. J. 267. 
Baldridge, A. 78. 
Baptist Pioneers, 231. 
" Baptist Visitor, The " 241. 



Barber, Prof. David G. 244. 

Barbour, T. S. 247. 

Barnard, Eld. 35. 

Barrelle, A. C. 244, 247. 

Barrett, J. C. 182. 

Barto, C. E. 69, 234. 

Barto, R. 44. 

Bassett, Pierpont 269. 

Basslar, B. 134. 

Bateman, C. 97, 106. 

Beach, Hon. Allen C. 234. 

Beach, A. R. 161, 234. 

Beaman, S. A. 124. 

Becker, C. E. 69, 156-7, 234. 

Becker, Dea. Leroy 78, 116. 

Beckley, J. T. 136. 

Beebe, F. M. 202, 234. 

Bellamy, D. 47-8, 147, 235. 

Bemus, V. 235. 

Benevolence, 29, 58, 77. 

Bennett, A. 20-9, 34-7-8, 48, 52- 
4-7, 131, 182, 226, 248. 

Bennett, Phineas 113. 

Bennettsburg, III. 

Bennett and Bright, 43. 

Berean Church, 263. 

Bennett, W. D. 268. 

Be van, I. 245. 

Bible Society, 50. 

Big Flats, 263. 

Big Flatt and Catlin, 265. 

Bishop, J. P. 233. 

Blakely, E. 201. 

Blood. Eld. 32. 

Bloomer, Abram 46. 176. 

Bloomer, E. K. 78. 

Bloomer, J. 124, 161. 

Bloomer, Hiram 267. 
1 Boardman, B. G. 265. 

Books recommended, 51. 
I Boorom, Jacob 139. 

Boorom, John 41, 76, 95-7, 127, 

133-6-7. 
; Boorom. W. W. 269. 
: Booth, Wm. 251. 

Boughton, S. 134. 
' Braisted, L. 235. 
! Briggs, J. 155. 



28o 



Index. 



Briggs, J. P. 255. 

Brigham, G. H. 77, 269. 

Bronson, M. 146, 192. 

Bronson, A. 261. 

Brooks, Dea. J. S. 80, 138. 

Brooks, C. W. 76, 77, 205, 235, 269. 

Brooks, Mrs. C. W. 78, 81. 

Brooks, W. R., D. D. 223. 

Brown, A. J. 176-7, 235. 

Brown, Geo. 79, 119, 204, 235, 268. 

Brown, T. E., D. D. 25, 223, 244. 

258. 
Brown, Thomas, 166, 200. 
Brown, W. W. 131, 182. 
Brundage, N. C. 157, 159, 235. 
Buckland, R. J. W., D. D. 244. 

BURDICK, J. R. 40, 146, 236. 
BURGHARDT, C. W. 76, 79, 156, I94, 
268 

Burr, Timothy 46, 50. 192. 
Burroughs, L., D. D. 223. 
Butler, Joel 19. 
Camp, Hermon 217, 256. 
Capron, B. W. 59, 133, 265. 
Card, H. S. 74, 77. 16.9, 205, 236, 
Carle, Thomas 108. 
Carpenter, C. G. 43, 44, 45, 47, 

48. 146, 183, 204, 236, 244, 255. 
Carpenter, C. H., M. D. 236. 
Carr, Stukley 264. 
Carpenter, S. H., LL. D. 236. 
Caroline church, 21, 119. 
Carey, Wm. 253. 
Catlin and Dix, 263. 
Caton church, 265. 
Caton, John 37, 92, 112, 129, 166- 

7, 178^ 182, 227, 245. 
Cauldwell, A. 161. 
Cayuga Association, 22. 
Cayuga Chief, 10. 
Chase, A. B. 65, 71, 77, 119, 157, 

236, 265. 
Chemung Association, 21. 
Child, I. 73, 194, 236. 
Christian Union, 34. 
Circular letters, 29, 32, 42, 40, 

43,45- 
Clapp, G. H. 261. 
Clark, A. D. 115, 118, 236, 268. 
Clark, Edward 243. 
Clark. Ichabod, 37. 
Clark, J. W. B., D. D. 244. 
Clark, T. R. 115. 
Clay, B. S. 97, 106, 132, 237. 
Cleghorn, A., D. D. 41, 237, 243. 
Coan, C. C, M. D. 214, 246. 
Coburn, C. 32, 33, 34, 93, 122, 124, 



129, 142, 161, 237, 
Coburn, M. T. 237, 269. 
Cole, Daniel 107-8, 127. 
Cole, J. D., D. D. 46, 49, 147. 162. 

197, 237, 268. 
Cole, M. V. 98, 109, 100. 
Cole, Nathan 46, 94, 107-8, 127, 

230. 
Cole, W. H. 266. 

COLEGROVE, M. 46, 47. 

Colegrove, P. 253, 265. 
Committee on History, 79. 
Communion at Association, 54. 
comstock, elkanah 32. 
comstock, grover s. 191. 2lo. 

j COMSTOCK, O. C. 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 

34, 35, 37, 44, 93, 95, 107, 113, 
129, 142, 143, 166. 189, 190, 193, 
194, 207, 217, 258, 264. 

Comstock, O. C. Jr., 213, 268. 

Conclusion, 268. 

Cone, Spencer H., D. D. 252-6. 

Congregational Singing, 66. 

Conley, D. 76, 238. 

Constituent churches, 31. 

Cooper, J. 182. 

Corey, D. 65, 66, 69, 73, 75, 134, 
156, 179, 170, 194. 238,-40, 248. 
I Cormac, W. 57, 148, 169, 192, 238, 
263-4. 

Cormac, James 239, 268. 
I Covenant, Bennettsburg, 112. 

Covert, Burgun 132. 
j Covert church, 22. 

Covert confession 86. 

Covert, C. V. 41, 46, 133, 269. 

Covert History, 87. 
! Covert, Mahlon, 40. 

Covert meeting-house, 103. 

Covert Preface, 83. 

Covert Semi-centennial, 98. 

Covert the Mother of Church- 
es, 100. 

Crocker, G. D, 263. 
i Crum, T. 163, 239. 
j Culver, Lewis H. 152. 
i Daggett, Anna 195. 
I Danby, 263. 
! Dassance, S. 162. 
I Davis, Elder 182. 
j DeLand, C. 46, 49, 97, 168, 257. 

Delano, W. H. 193. 
j Delmar, 21, 263. 
| Dennison. H. H. 98. 

Derthick, J. 93, 105, 127. 

DeWitt, H. G.,D.D.66-7, 73. 133, 
156, 178, 194, 219, 243. 



Index. 



281 



DeWitt, M. H. 219. 
DeWitt, Simeon 144. 
Discipline, 23, 45, 74, 89, 91. 

DlTMARS, W. 47. 

Doctrinal disputes, 145. 
Dodge, H. B. 132. 
Dominie's ride, 228. 
Dowling, John, D. D. 239, 257. 
Dowling, T. 41, 132, 191, 239. 
Dow, Lorenzo 15. 
Dryden, 22, 264. 
Dunbar, W. 115, 240. 
Dunlap, A. 12. 
Dunlap, Joseph 176. 
Dunn, L. A., D. D., 223. 
Dusenberry, F. 70, 123, 124, 154, 

162, 178, 240. 
Eaglestone, A. 21, in, 112. 
Earle, A. B. 50, 73, 135. 
Earle, Caleb 151. 
Earle, Mrs. 65. 
East Romulus, 265. 
Eastman, Hezekiah 20. 
Easterbrooks, I. 58, 169. 
Eaton, G. W. LL. D. 221. 
Edwards, Hervey 254. 
Edwards, T. F. 265. 
Education, 26, 33. 
Elgin. G. H. 269. 
Elliott, Jesse 244. 
Ellis, A. J. 133. 
Ellis, S. A. 75. 
Ellison, M. P. 151. 
Elmira, 264. 

Elmira and F airport, 265. 
Ely, R. M. 251. 
Emory, J. C. 235. 
Enfield, 22, 122. 
Estey, Jos, 223. 
Evarts, M. M. 75, 176, 240. 
Everett, Wm. 124, 162, 264. 
Ewer, S. 201. 

Expurgated Articles, 183. 
Family Culture, 61. 
Fargo, I. 58, 184, 240, 247. 
Farmerville church, 102. 
Farmer Village, 127. 
Faussett, G. 44. 

First church in Seneca Co., 102. 
First Elmira, 265. 
Fisk, J. 131. 167, 173, 182.240, 264. 
Fiske, Prof. Willakd, 81. 
Fish, H. C. D. D. 223. 
Fenn, Lucius 97. 
Fenner, F. D. 73, 74, 75, 79, 176, 

240, 268. 
Fenner, Mrs. M. A. G. 78, 80. 



Ferris, J. 20. 

Folwell and Bainbridge, 185. 

Folwell, J. N. 74, 75, 149, 240, 

250-1. 
Folwell, N. W. 60. 69, 76, 78, 

168, 185, 214, 269. 
Folwell, W. W. 185. 
Ford, H. E. 157, 205, 240. 
Ford, S. W. 113, 119, 130, 167, 241 . 
Freeman, Zenas 54, 230. 
Fuller, H. B. 175 241. 
Fuller, J. J. 124. 
Fuller, Richard, D. D. 223. 
Fullerton, P. 86, 90, 109, 165. 
Fulton, J. D., D. D. 222-3. 
Furbeck, Rev. P. 137. 
Gallup, E. S. 195, 217, 241. 
Galusha, Elon, 93. 
Gardner, E. 44, 47. 
Gardner, N. B. H. 176. 
Garth wait, D. 263. 
Gates, F. H. 241, 266. 
Gates, G. 119, 120, 179, 241. 
George, Bishop E. 237. 
Gibbs, B. B. 148, 263. 
Gibbs, O. W. 59, 67, 115, 241. 
Gibson, M. 135, 242. 
Gillette, A. D. 242. 
Gillette, C. 162. 
Gillette, D. 242. 
Gillette, P. D. 38,39, 40, 41, 242. 

264. 
Glanville, F. 148. 
Glass, J, 250. 

I GODDARD, THOS. 26l. 

j GOFF, J. 200. 

j GOFF, R. 21, III, 112 263-5. 

i Goo, P. 133, 136, 179, 242. 

j GOODALE, S. 35. 

j Goodno, W. S. 75. 
I Gordon, W. C. 46. 

Grant, J. 169, 242. 

Grant, J. King 251. 

Gray, Asa 216. 

Gray, Jno. 124, 162, 242. 

Green," Prof. J. 81. 

Gregg, E. C. 256. 

Gregory, Rev. Dr. 100. 

Grenell, Z. 52, 99, 161. 

Griffis, P. 169. 

Griffith, J. H., D. D. 184, 215, 
242-7. 

Grose, Henry, Hon. 242. 

Grose, H. L. 147, 242, 263. 

Grose, J. D., D. D. 242. 

Gross, L. J. 75, 136, 183, 184, 186, 
216, 243, 266 ,268-9. 



282 



Index. 



Guinnip, Geo. 203. 
Hadley, E. A. 47. 
Hague, Wm., D. D. 237. 
Hall, H. J. 115. 
Halliday, J. 169, 201. 
Halsey, Dr. Lewis 191. 
Halsey, Lewis 76-9, 80, 100, 136- 

9, 216-17, 243-4. 
Hamilton, D. H., D. D. 192-3. 
Hamilton Institution, 36. 
Hammond, E. P. 235. 
Harrington, E. 88. 
Harris, C. A. 150, 202. 
Harris, J. M. 59, 71, 149, 178, 244, 

247. 
Harrison, T. S. 64, 74. 
Harvey, H., D. D. 227. 
Hascall, David 131. 
Hendrick, J. 77, 78, 157. 
Henry, W. T. 264. 
Herr, J. D., D. D. 223. 
Hervey, H. 226. 
Hewett, C. E. 243. 

HlNMAN, L. 134, I39. 

Hodge, E. 35, 129, 131, 167. 173-4, 

182, 244. 
Holt, J. C. 37, 38, 95, 106, 173, 

182, 244. 
Homes, M. W. 68, 73. 75, 135, 184, 

244. 
Hopkins, Anson 97. 
Hopkins, G. 77, 99, 245. 
Horseheads, 264. 
Horton, Mat. O. H. 99, 260. 
Horton, Thomas, hi. 112. 
Hosmer, A 20, 226. 
Hotchkiss, V. R., D. D. 73, 230. 
Hough, S. 201. 
House, Elder 166. 
House, Horace L. 150. 
Hoyt, Wayland, D. D. 222. 
Hunt, S. 47. 
Hunt, Thos. 241. 
Hutchins. H. U., D. D. 223. 
Index to Frontispiece, 7. 
Indian Problem, The 10. 
Irish, David 20, 88, 90, 225. 
Irving, P. 178. 245. 
Ithaca, 142. 
Ivimey, Jos. 239. 
Jackson, A. 44, 52, 147, 192, 245. 
"Jayne, David 21, 265. 
Jerome, T. C. 232. 
Johnston, Lewis 108. 
judson, adoniram 57. 
Judson, Edward 238. 
Kallock, I. S. 252. 



Kelly, Chas. 134. 

Kelly, J. 41. 

Kelsey, Philander 32-5, 127, 

261. 
Kendall, E. 91-2. 
Kendrick, D. D. 35. 
Kendrick, Nathaniel, D.D.41-7, 

190,227, 248, 250, 256. 
Kennard, J. 240. 
Ketchum, J. 37, 175, 245. 
Kimball, E. 47, 155, 162. 
King, Barzilla 91, 155, 166, 267. 
Kinne, Mrs. Hester 179. 
Kreyer, C. T. 74, 201, 245. 
Knapp, Jacob 146, 244. 
Kneeland, A. C. 244. 
Knight, James C. 134. 
King, John 88-9. 
King, T. H. 75, 99, 108, 247. 
King, Sylvester 97. 
LaFayette, 227. 
Lafever, L. 165. 
Lake Ridge, 264. 
Lawton, A. 124, 245. 
Lawton, J. 20, 245. 
Laseur, J. 21, 90. 
Leach, J. 47, 74, 123. 124. 
League of the Iroquois, 9, 10. 
Learned, W. C. 78. 
Leonard, Lewis '47-8-9, 50, 227, 

247. 
Leonard, T. S. 154. 
Lewis, Dr. J. D. 195, 267. 
Lewis, J. 93, 107, 122, 124, 127, 

128, 166-7, 2 46. 
Lewis J. J. 150. 
Lewis, R. G. 114 246, 255,264. 
Licensing Candidates, 41. 
Litchfield, D. W. 98, 106, 192, 

201 246. 
Living by the Gospel, 90. 
Locke, W. E. 46, 47, 48, 49, 191, 

246 
Lockwood, J. E. 202. 
Lockwood, D. T. 156, 246. 
Log Cabin, The 12. 

LONGSTREET, Wm. I39. 

Lovell, J. Milton 195, 269. 

Lowe, L. 205. 

Lowry, R., D. D. 222-3. 

Lyon, F. S. 76. 

Mallory, A. C. 39, 40, 44, 73-9, 

81, 99, 100, 110, 156-7-8, 175, 

230-31, 246, 268-9. 
Mallory, Mrs. A. C. 79, 80, 81, 

269. 
Mallory. J. C. 235. 



Index. 



283 



Mann, A. M.. D D. 136. 

Manning, Edwd. 244. 

Marsh, S. V. 66, 70, 73, 75, 99, 

169, 184 202, 247. 
Marsh, Thos. Jr.. 69. 
Marshall, B. D..247. 
Marshall, D. C. 74-5, 124, 156, 

162. 
Marshall, E. 62, 68, 71, 99 102, 

107, 134, 178, 201, 247. 
Martin, E. M. 34, 182, 200. 
Mason, J. O. 223. 
McCall" Jas. J02. 
McCarthy. W. 133. 205, 247. 
McCarthy, W. C. 247. 
McCoy, Isaac Mis'y. 253. 
McLafferty, B. S. 184, 247. 
McLallen, James 39, 41, 46, 52, 

60, 75, 81, 193, 216. 
McLallen, John, 55, 192, 216, 

229. 
McLallen, John E, 76, 179, 248. 
McNair, G. T. 184, 248. 
Mecklenburg, 155. 
Melleney, C. P. 163-4, 2 48- 
Merrill, A. P. 119. 
Mettler, A. W. 99, 176, 248. 
Miller, Andrew 44.113. 115, 116, 

169, 171, 269. 
Miller, Mrs. Mafy 78, 80, 81,269. 
Miller, Wm. ( Adventist) 239. 
Miller, U. B. 38,41, 132, 167, 174, 

183. 248. 264. 
Millis, E. L. 235. 
Mintonye, A. 162, 249. 
Missions, 36. 
Montague, O. 98, 133, 175 249. 

252. 
Moore, David, D. D. 215. 
Moore, J. G..219. 
Morgan, Lewis H. LL. D. 9, 269. 
Mormon Bible, 17. 
Morrison, J. H. 55. 115, 249. 
Morse, Asahel. 261. 
Morton, Zalmon 20. 
Mothers' Journal, 43. 
Muller, Geo. 235. 
Nelson. C. 124, 142, 249. 
Nevius, John L., D. D. Mission- 
ary, 247. 
Newfield, 161. 
North Hector. 165. 
Northrup, G. W. 240. 
Northrup, John 152. 
Notable events, 15. 
Olcott, J. B. 57, 204. 
Old and New School, 119. 



Olmstead, J. 20, 244. 
Olmstead, Mrs. F. 20. 
Olney, S. W. 73. 
Omans, W. P. 249. 
Organization, 31. 

OxiTHOGRAPHY, 87. 

Otis, N. 183. 250. 

Otsego Association, 19, 

Oviatt, B. 119, 161. 

Ovid, 173, 267. 

Ovid Village, 178. 

Owen, D. D. 75-6, 184, 250. 

Palmer, E. S. 47. 

Parker, Addison 264. 

Parr, S. S. 46, 97, 147, 250. 

Parshall, L. B. 134, 

Pariily, W. H. 223. 

Parsons, C, B. 75-7, 136, 250. 

Parsons, I. S. 136, 250, 

Payne, Elisha 20, 47. 

Payne, Mrs. B. 20. 

Pastoral changes, 71. 

Pastors' Conference, 204. 

Patriotism, 24. 

Peach Orchard, 264. 

Pease, Allen 40, 50, 129, 189, 269. 

Peck, John 20, 29, 44-6, 52-4, 197. 

226-7. 
Peck, Nathan 41. 
Peck, P. B. 242. 
Perry, E. 124, 176. 
Perry, M. H. 119, 250. 
Pettifogging, 95. 
Phelps, J. J. 79, 80, 176, 195-6, 

217, 250, 268-9. 
Philleo, C. 146, 
Pioneer life, 14. 
Pioneer. The ii. 
Pixley, J. B, 75-7. 
Platt, D. 265. 
Plumb, 47. 
Porter, Lewis 39, 46, 524-5, 94, 

107, 109, 127, 167, 230. 
Potter, Dea. Giles, 261. 
Potter, Munson, 153. 
Powers, W. W. 119, 127. 
Preface, 5. 
Purinton, T. 253. 
Purvis, F. 115, 157, 251. 
Ransted, L. 47, 73, 74, 75, 175, 

178, 194, 201, 230, 242. 251. 
Rapson, J. F. 154, 251. 
Raymond, W. G. 236. 
Rappleye, Hudson 139. 
Rappleye, Jeremiah 32, 34, 93, 

128, 133, 138. 
Rappleye, J. P. 70, 134-7-8-9, 269. 



284 



Index. 



Rappleye, Nicholas, 135. 

Rappleye, Peter, 32, 128. 

Rappleye, Wm. 39, 76, 127, 132-6. 

Reading, 264. 

Red Jacket, 15, 102. 

Rees, Wm. 75, 99, 251. 

Remington, Frank 269. 

Revival at Covert, 104. 

Reynolds, J. in. 252. 

Roberts, P: R. 173. 

Robinson, Daniel 35. 

Robinson, Demas 47-8. 

Robins, H. E., D. D. 76, 244. 

Robinson, Pres. E. G. 232, 255. 

Robinson, W. 77, 202. 

Rogers, J. B. 115. 

Romulus, 21, 22, 181. 

Rood, Judge S. L. 252. 

Rooney, J. C. 235. 

Root, D. W. 162. 

Root, P. D. 156, 252. 

Roots, P. P. 20, 95, 13c, 227, 264. 

Rowley, Moses 200. 

Royce, E. 74, 204-5, 252, 268. 

Sabin, P. 119. 

Sackett, Philo W. 116. 

Sackett S, 44. 

Sackett, J. C. 269. 

Sackett, Dea. S. W. 76, 116, 206. 

Sacrifice money, 132. 

Sage, Dea. W. N. 268. 

Sanford E. 21. 

Sarles, J. W. 259. 

Sawyer" J 119. 

Sawin, B. 247. 

Sayler, S. A. 69, 156. 

Scipio Conference 21. 

Scott, Daniel 176. 

Scott, Kezia 57, 173-4. 

Scott, Winfield 68, 69, 133, 252, 

266. 
Sears, J. 37-9. 97, 131, 144, 155, 

162, 253. 
Seeley, J. T. 60, 244. 
Semi-centennial of Ass'n, 76. 
Seneca Association, 23. 
Seneca, The 9. 
Seward, William H. 242. 
Seymour, O. H. 100. 
Shadrach, Wm. 64. 
Sharpe W. 75-7, 115, 156, 163, 253. 
Shaw, A. H. 244. 
Shaw, J. R. 76, 157, 253. 
Sheardown, T. S. 39, 43, 44, 46, 

47. 5i, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58,60. 95- 

8, 103, 115, 175, 191-2 203-4-5, 

227, 230, 251, 258, 265. 



Shedd, P. 44, 51, 97, 155, 191-2, 

253, 265. 
Sheldon, C. P. 79, 223, 242, 269. 
Shrimpton, C. J. 75-7, 99,136, 150, 

253. 
Simmons, J. B. 243. 
Simonson, G. 249. 
Six Nations, 12. 
Smitzer, John 38, 57, 254. 
Smalley, Seth. 155, 253. 
Smiley, T. 21. 
Smith, Dea. Joseph 78. 
Smith, H. A. 62, 75, 79. 
Smith, Howell 51, 254. 
Smith, J. A., D. D. 043. 
Smith, J.B. 68,69, 73-4~5-7,i34-5, 

156, 184, 240-3, 254. 
Smith, Joseph 16. 
Smith, Lewis 248. 
Smith, T. F. 78, 115,254. 
Sniffen, Joseph 139. 
Soldiers, 266. 

Spaulding. Phineas 142, 254. 
Spaulding, W. 8o, 119, 120, 142, 

233- 254. 
Sperry, O. 184. 
Spink, Col. G. T. 192-4. 
Spinner, J. D. 242. 
Stalwart Council, 92. 
Stark, J. F. 123-4, 254. 
Starkweather, G. A. 75-6-7, 99, 

157, 195. 204, 255, 238, 253. 
Starr, Micajah 21, 88-9-90, 165. 

264. 
State Convention, 36, 197, 198. 
Statistical Sketches 232. 
Statistical Tables, 270. 
Steega.r, W. H. 202. 
Stifler J. M., D. D. 234. 
Stimson, H. K. 65, 358 
Stillwell, Miss Ella 99. 
Stone, O. B. 74. 
Sturdevant, J. 1, 127, 155, 166, 

255. 
Sunday Schools 47. 
Sunderlin, A. W. 245. 
Sutherland, F. P. 202, 
Sutherland, S. 255. 
Swick, B. R. 46, 75, 97, 155, 192, 

255, 231, 242, 245, 255. 
Sweet, Joel, 37. 
Swick, Minor 134. 
Switzerland of America, The 12. 
Tabernacle church Ithaca. 154. 
Tallmadge A. 246. 
Tallmadge, Henry 123, 157. 
Taylor, D. 57, 98, 175, 193, 255. 



Index. 



285 



Taylor, E. G. 240. 

Temperance 24, 42, 58, 80. 

Terry, Capt. J. H. 267. 

Theal, T. 119. 

Third Hector, 265. 

Thomas, J. 43, 146. 

Thomas, Miner 87-8, 90-1-3, 103, 

113, 128, 165-6, 256. 
Tioga, 265. 
Titus, H, F. 79, 142, 150-3, 256, 

238. 
Tornado, 170. 
Tower, W. N. 170, 172, 248, 257. 

268-9. 
Tower, R. 257. 
Townsend, B. C. 64, 155, 168, 257, 

264. 
Treman, Abner 216. 
Treman, Mrs. Mary 65, 157, 269. 
Trumansburg, 189. 
Tucker, S. S. 124. 
Tunison, Judith 94, 137. 
Tuttle, Thos. 88, 165. 
Tyler, Joel 88. 
Ulysses church, 22. 
University of Rochester, 57. 
Upfold, J. 20. 
VanDoren, T. T. 179. 
Valley church Virgil, 265. 
Vaughn, Wm. 46, 115. 
Virgil, 265. 
Vogell, 39, 44. 
Votey, C. A. 62-5-8, 134, 162, 175, 

178, 194, 257, 268. 
Wade, A. 162. 
Wade, L. 169. 
Wadhams, A. 97, 106. 
Wait, D. C. 146. 
Wall, Van Rensselaer 34-7, 182. 
Walsh, A. S., D. D. 223. 
Wardner. C. 54-5-8, 77, 98, 106, 

170, 204, 257. 
Warner, Wm. 225. 
Warren, B. 115,175, 169, 257. 
War record, 69. 
Warren, O, 26, 94, 105, 129. 
Watkins, 203, 267, 
Waterloo, 200. 
Waverly, 265. 
Wayland, Francis 237. 
Weaver,E. 64-5, 133, 178, 220,257. 
Webber T- S. 258 



Weeks, G. E. 204-5, 258, 268-9. 
Wellsbukg church, 21. 
Welsh, Bartholomew, D. D. 252. 
West, H. 55-6, 64-9, 155, 178, 193, 

204-5, 258. 
Westervelt, J. C. 269. 
Westgate, H. S. 136. 
Wheeler, D. C. 137. 
White, Pres. A. D. 81. 
Whiting, N. N. 38-9, 132, 146,259. 
Wiggins, J. W. 60. 133, 249, 252, 

259. 

WlLDMAN, N. 26l. 

Wilkie, F. B. 243. 

WlLKINS, A. 205, 259. 

Wilkins, F. L. 259. 

WlLKINS, W. I55. 

Willers, Calvin 18. 

WlLLERS, DlEDRICH JR. l8. 

Willers, Diedrich Sr. 18, 268. 
Williams, J. M. W.,-D. D. 221. 
Williams, William R., D. D. 223. 
Wilson, F., D. D. 221. 
Wilson, W. D., L. H. D. 81. 
Winchell, J. M. 243. 
Winchell's Watts, 39. 
Wise, S. 155. 

WlLSEY, J. 46. 

Wisner, J. 21. 88, 90, 103, 165, 182. 
Wisner, W. G. 97, 175, 178. 
Wisner, W. H. 46. 
Wisner, Wm. D. D. 143. 

WlTHERAL RlCHD. 239. 

Woman's Mis'y Soc'y, 77-8, 80-1. 
Woodworth, A. B. 73, 119, 162. 

260. 
Woodworth, Nestor 99. 
Woodworth, Jona. 260. 
Woodworth, J. P. 94, 123-4-7, 

167, 192-3, 260. 
Wood, E. J. 115. 
Woolsey, 39, 47, 95-6-7, 106, 132- 

3, 174, 192, 260. 
Worden, O. N. 231, 268. 
Work at Watkins, 204. 
Wright. D. 51, 184, 260. 
Wright, N. 75. 
Wright, W. R. 261. 
Wright, T. G. 79,205, 241, 261. 
Young, Brigham 17, 
Young. John 17. 



V 



